485BPOS 1 swan485b.htm SWAN DEFINED RISK FUND GemCom, LLC

 

Securities Act Registration No. 333-178833

Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-22655


As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2012


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549


REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ý

¨ Pre-Effective Amendment No.

ý Post-Effective Amendment No. 6


and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ý

ý Amendment No. 7


(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


4020 South 147th Street, Omaha, NE 68137

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)


Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (402) 895-1600

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, DE 19801

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)


With copy to:

JoAnn M. Strasser, Thompson Hine LLP

41 South High Street, 17th Floor

Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-469-3265 (phone)

614-469-3361 (fax)

Brian Nielsen,

General Counsel

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, New York 11788

(631) 470-2616


Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

X Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

¨75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

¨ This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

Swan Defined Risk Fund

Class

A

Shares

  SDRAX

Class

C

Shares

  SDRCX

Class

I

Shares

  SDRIX

No-Load

Class

Shares

 


PROSPECTUS June 26 , 2012


 

 

 

 

 


                                                                                                                        Advised by:

                                                                                                    Swan Capital Management, Inc.


  www.swandefinedriskfund.com                                                                                             1-877-896-2590

                                                        


This Prospectus provides important information about the Fund that you should know before investing.  Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.


These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FUND SUMMARY

 

Investment Objective

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Principal Investment Risks

 

Performance

 

Investment Adviser

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

Tax Information

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

 

Investment Objective

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Principal Investment Risks

 

Temporary Investments

 

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Investment Adviser

 

Portfolio Manager

 

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

 

HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

 

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

 

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

 

TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

 

Distributor

 

Distribution Fees

 

Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries

 

Householding

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Privacy Notice

 


 

 

 



FUND SUMMARY


Investment Objective:  The Fund seeks income and growth of capital.


Fees and Expenses of the Fund:  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Fund.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in How to Purchase Shares on page 16 of the Fund's Prospectus.


Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

Class
A

Class
C

Class
I

No-Load
Class

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases

(as a % of offering price)

5.50%

None

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

(as a % of original purchase price)

1.00%

None

None

None

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and other Distributions

None

None

None

None

Redemption Fee

(as a % of amount redeemed, if sold within 30 days)

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a

percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

Management Fees

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

0.25%

1.00%

None

0.25%

Other Expenses (1)

0.28%

0.28%

0.28%

0.28%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (1) (2)

0.15%

0.15%

0.15%

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.68%

2.43%

1.43%

1.68%

(1)

Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

(2)

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies.  The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the Fund's financial highlights because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Fund.


Example:  This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:


Class

1 Year

3 Years

A

$711

$1,050

C

$246

$758

I

$146

$452

No-Load

$171

$530



Portfolio Turnover:  The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance.


Principal Investment Strategies:  The Fund's adviser seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in:

 

·

exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") that invest in equity securities that are represented in the S&P 500 Index or the 9 individual sectors of the S&P 500 Index, which are commonly known as a "SPDR" (short for Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts),

·

exchange-traded long-term put options on the S&P 500 Index for hedging purposes, and

·

buying and selling exchange-traded put and call options on various equity indices to generate additional returns.

The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large capitalization (over $5 billion) US companies through ETFs.  However, the Fund may have small investments in equity securities of smaller and foreign companies through sector-based or S&P 500 Index ETFs.  The adviser anticipates income from dividend payments made by ETFs, as well as income from option premiums, although option income is also described as capital appreciation for tax and accounting purposes.  The adviser anticipates executing ETF trades through an exchange rather than trading directly with a fund.

The adviser employs a proprietary "Defined Risk Strategy" ("DRS") to select Fund investments.  DRS seeks to match the long-term performance of the stock market without the traditional losses incurred during bear markets.  The DRS philosophy is based upon the adviser’s research indicating that market timing and/or stock selection is extremely difficult, may produce volatile returns and that asset allocation is limited in its risk reduction.  Using DRS, the adviser seeks to "define risk" by seeking to protect against large losses by hedging equity ETFs through investments in protective long-term S&P 500 Index put options.  Additionally, the adviser seeks to increase returns by buying and selling call and put options on several indices using hedging strategies.  

Defined Risk Strategy

DRS was created in 1997 by Randy Swan, President of the adviser.  The objective of the DRS is to offer a strategy with an opportunity to match the long-term performance of the stock market without the traditional losses incurred during bear markets.  The DRS philosophy is based upon the adviser’s research indicating that market timing and/or stock selection is extremely difficult and that asset allocation is limited in its risk reduction properties.  


Hedging Process


The adviser applies a protective put hedging strategy to hedge the Fund's equity exposure.  The Fund invests in long-term put options (referred to as a paying a premium) that gives the Fund the right to sell a security or index at a set (strike) price or sell the long-term put option on an option exchange.  The protective put strategy is executed using exchange-traded S&P 500 Index put options to hedge the portfolio and to reduce volatility.  The protective put strategy seeks to limit downside loss.  Generally, S&P 500 Index put options have an inverse relationship to the S&P 500 Index and its 9 sector-specific constituents.    

Option Writing


To generate additional returns, the adviser buys and sells short-term (generally 1-3 month) put and call options on equity indices: S&P 500, Sector SDPR and Russell 2000 on a regular basis.  Additionally, the advisor will regularly engage in various spread option strategies.  Spread option strategies involve, for example, selling a 1-month call option while buying a 2-month call option at the same strike price.  Each option strategy includes a hedging element so that the Fund is not exposed to significant losses on written options.


Rebalancing


The adviser may rebalance the ETF portfolio to maintain equal weighting across the 9 sectors to avoid excessive expose to one economic sector.  Long-term protective put options are typically traded annually to protect capital and/or allow for profit potential, by re-establishing a current-market strike price which depends on whether or not the market has increased or decreased.


As discussed further below the advisor intends on having very little portfolio turnover since most of the ETF portfolio will be held indefinitely.  Written options are bought back when the adviser believes they present an unfavorable risk and reward profile.  Purchased options are sold when the adviser believes they present an unfavorable risk and reward profile or when more attractive investments are available.


Principal Investment Risks:  As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund.  The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program.  Many factors affect the Fund's net asset value and performance.


The following describes the risks the Fund may bear indirectly through investments in ETFs as well as directly through investments in put and call options.


·

ETF Risk:  ETFs are subject to investment advisory and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Fund.  As a result, the cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs and may be higher than other mutual funds that invest directly in stocks.  ETFs are subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the fund.

·

Leveraging Risk. The use of leverage, such as that embedded in options, could magnify the Fund's gains or losses.  

·

Limited History of Operations:  The Fund is a new mutual fund, has a limited history of operation and the adviser has not previously managed a mutual fund.  

·

Management Risk:  The adviser's dependence on its DRS process and judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular ETFs and options in which the Fund invests or writes may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.

·

Market Risk:  Overall securities market risks will affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests.  Factors such as economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the US securities markets.  When the value of the Fund's investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

·

Option Risk:  Purchased put options may expire worthless and may have imperfect correlation to the value of the Fund's sector ETFs.  Written call and put options may limit the Fund's participation in equity market gains and may amplify losses in market declines.  The Fund's losses are potentially large in a written put or call transaction.  If unhedged, written calls expose the Fund to potentially unlimited losses.


Performance:  Because the Fund has less than a full calendar year of investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time.  In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus.  Also, shareholder reports containing financial and performance information will be mailed to shareholders semi-annually. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www.swandefinedriskfund.com or by calling 1-877-896-2590.


Investment Adviser:  Swan Capital Management, Inc.


Portfolio Manager:  Randy Swan, CPA, President of the adviser, has served the Fund as its Portfolio Manager since it commenced operations in 2012.

  

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares:  The investment minimums for the Fund are:


 

Initial Investment

Subsequent Investment

Class

Regular
Account

Retirement
Account

Regular
Account

Retirement
Account

A

$2,500

$ 1,000

$ 500

$ 100

C

$2,500

$ 1,000

$ 500

$ 100

I

$ 100,000

$ 100,000

$ 500

$ 500

No-Load

$10,000

$ 1,000

$ 500

$ 100


The Fund reserves the right to waive any minimum.  You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open.  Redemption requests may be made in writing, by telephone, or through a financial intermediary and will be paid by ACH, check or wire transfer.


Tax Information:  Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash, are taxable to you at either ordinary income or capital gains tax rates unless you are investing through a tax-deferred plan such as an IRA or 401(k) plan.  However, these dividend and capital gain distributions may be taxable upon their eventual withdrawal from tax-deferred plans.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries:  If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services.  These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment.  Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

Investment Objective:  


The Fund seeks income and growth of capital.  The Fund's investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval by the Fund's Board of Trustees upon 60 days written notice to shareholders.  


Principal Investment Strategies:


The Fund's adviser seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in:

 

·

exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") that invest in equity securities that are represented in the S&P 500 Index or the 9 individual sectors of the S&P 500 Index, which are commonly known as a "SPDR" (short for Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts),

 

·

exchange-traded long-term put options on the S&P 500 Index for hedging purposes, and

 

·

buying and selling exchange-traded put and call options on various equity indices to generate additional returns.


The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of large capitalization (over $5 billion) US companies through ETFs.  However, the Fund may have small investments in equity securities of smaller and foreign companies through sector-based and S&P 500 Index ETFs.  The adviser anticipates income from dividend payments made by ETFs, as well as through its proprietary option income strategies, although option income is also described as capital appreciation for tax and accounting purposes.

Defined Risk Strategy

The Defined Risk Strategy ("DRS") was created in 1997 by Randy Swan, President of the adviser.

 

The DRS is a proprietary investment process to select Fund investments that manage risk and generate income.  DRS seeks to match or exceed the long-term performance of the stock market over an entire investment cycle (peak to trough) without the traditional losses incurred during bear markets.  The DRS philosophy is based upon the adviser’s research indicating that market timing and/or stock selection is extremely difficult, may produce volatile returns and that asset allocation is limited in its risk reduction.  Using DRS, the adviser seeks to "define risk" by placing the different components of the fund in separate baskets with each basket containing unique and proprietary components and risk management techniques.  Each Basket is designed to reach the Fund’s investment objective in different market environments and time cycles.


Stock Selection


ETF selection is based an equal weighted sector approach that the adviser believes will result in a more diversified portfolio of stocks that is often represented in the S&P 500.  The manager believes that a balanced sector approach lowers risk and has the potential for greater returns.  


Hedging Process


The adviser applies a protective put hedging strategy to hedge the Fund's equity exposure.  The protective put strategy is executed using exchange-traded S&P 500 Index put options to hedge the portfolio and to reduce volatility.  The protective put strategy seeks to limit downside loss.  Generally, S&P 500 Index put options have an inverse relationship to the S&P 500 Index and its 9 sector-specific components.  


Option Writing


To generate additional returns and reduce certain types of risk, the adviser engages in various income generating strategies that are designed to complement the other components of the strategy.  The option writing component of the DRS is an actively managed strategy whereby its proprietary risk management techniques are used. Periodically and regularly, the advisor sells (writes) call and put options on the S&P 500 that are typically 1 – 3 months until expiration.  The advisor typically purchases those options back before expiration if they present an unfavorable risk and reward profile.  Additionally, the adviser engages in other income generating strategies using spread orders (an order to simultaneously write an option and buy an option that differ on strike price, maturity or index) on other indices.


Options Generally.  An index call option (such as one on the S&P 500 Index) is a contract that entitles the purchaser to receive from the seller a cash payment equal to the amount of any appreciation in the value of the reference index over a fixed price (the strike price of the call option) as of the valuation date of the option. Upon entering into the position, a premium is paid by the purchaser to the seller. When an index call option is exercised, the seller is required to deliver an amount of cash determined by the excess, if any, of the value of the index at contract termination over the strike price of the option. A call option on an individual security, such as an ETF, is a contract that entitles the purchaser to buy the security at a fixed price (the strike price of the call option) on or before the valuation date of the option in exchange for the payment of an upfront premium by the purchaser to the seller. When an individual call option is exercised, the seller is required to deliver the underlying security. If the option seller does not own the underlying security it may be required to purchase the security to meet the delivery requirements of the contract.


An index put option is a contract that entitles the purchaser to receive from the seller a cash payment equal to the amount of any depreciation in the value of the reference index below a fixed price (the strike price of the call option) as of the valuation date of the option. Upon entering into the position, a premium is paid by the purchaser to the seller. When an index put option is exercised, the seller is required to deliver an amount of cash determined by the shortfall, if any, of the value of the index at contract termination below the strike price of the option. A put option on an individual security, such as an ETF, is a contract that entitles the purchaser to sell the security at a fixed price (the strike price of the put option) on or before the valuation date of the option in exchange for the payment of an upfront premium by the purchaser to the seller. When an individual put option is exercised, the seller is required to purchase the underlying security.


Exchange-traded options on broad-based equity indices that trade on a national securities exchange registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or a domestic board of trade designated as a contract market by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission generally qualify for treatment as "section 1256 contracts," as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Under the Code, capital gains and losses on "section 1256 contracts" are generally recognized annually based on a marking-to-market of open positions at tax year-end, with gains or losses treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term, regardless of holding period. The Fund intends to utilize primarily options that are "section 1256 contracts."  The Fund also treats options on ETFs that are linked to a broad-based equity index, such as the S&P 500 Index, as "section 1256 contracts."  However, if the Internal Revenue Service disallows with this treatment, then any gain or loss resulting from trading this type of ETF option will be a capital gain or loss, and will be short-term if held less than 12 months.

Sector ETFs Generally.  The adviser anticipates investing in 9 sector specific ETFs that are each commonly known as a "SPDR" (short for Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts).  Sector SPDRs are unique ETFs that divide the S&P 500 Index into 9 sector index funds.  Together, the 9 Sector SPDRs represent the S&P 500 Index as a whole. However, each Sector SPDR can also be bought individually, providing the Fund with undiluted exposure to a particular sector of the US economy.

The 9 Sector ETFs are: (1) Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR, (2) Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR, (3) Energy Select Sector SPDR, (4) Financial Select Sector SPDR, (5) Health Care Select Sector SPDR, (6) Industrial Select Sector SPDR, (7) Materials Select Sector SPDR, (8) Technology Select Sector SPDR and (9) Utilities Select Sector SPDR.  Each Select Sector Index is calculated using a modified "market capitalization" methodology. This formula ensures that each of the component stocks within a Select Sector Index is represented in a proportion consistent with its percentage of the total market cap of that particular index. However, all 9 Select Sector SPDRs are diversified mutual funds with respect to the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, each Sector Index will be modified so that an individual security does not comprise more than 25% of the index.

Each Select Sector SPDR is not "actively managed" by traditional methods and is designed to, before expenses, closely track the price performance and dividend yield of a particular Select Sector Index. Each Sector ETF’s portfolio is comprised principally of shares of constituent companies included in the S&P 500 Index. Each stock in the S&P 500 Index is allocated to only one Select Sector Index. The combined companies of the 9 Select Sector Indexes represent all of the companies in the S&P 500 Index.  However, if the Fund buys all 9 Select Sector SPDRs it will nearly replicate the S&P 500 Index only if it purchases the 9 Select Sector SPDRs with weightings that correspond to the S&P 500 Index weightings.  Due to IRS diversification requirements, certain Select Sector SPDRs will not have the exact individual component weightings of the broad S&P 500 Index.

 

Tax Strategy


The adviser intends to minimize taxes by holding the majority of the ETF portfolio indefinitely subject to periodic re-balancing.  In certain circumstances, capital losses may be harvested to minimize current year capital gains.  Most of the dividends received will constitute qualified dividends and as a result we be taxed at the lowest rate.  In addition, the hedging and option writing components of the DRS intend on using contracts that qualify as §1256 contracts and thus are taxed at the preferable tax rate regardless of the length of the holding period.



Principal Investment Risks:


The following describes the risks the Fund may bear indirectly through investments in ETFs as well as directly through investments in put and call options.


·

ETF Risk:  Your cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs and may be higher than other mutual funds that invest directly in stocks.  You will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the ETFs in addition to the Fund's direct fees and expenses.  Investment in the Fund should be made with the understanding that the ETFs in which the Fund invests will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices they track because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities. In addition, the ETFs in which the Fund invests will incur expenses not incurred by their applicable indices. The market value of ETF shares may differ from their net asset value. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for fund shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying basket of securities. Accordingly, there may be times when shares trade at a premium or discount to net asset value.  

·

Leveraging Risk: The use of leverage, such as that embedded in options, will magnify the Fund's gains or losses.  The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations.  Written option positions expose the Fund to potential losses many times the option premium received.

·

Limited History of Operations:  The Fund is a new mutual fund and has a limited history of operation and the adviser has not previously managed a mutual fund.  Mutual funds and their advisers are subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code that do not apply to an adviser's management of individual and institutional accounts.  As a result, investors cannot judge the adviser by its track record of managing a mutual fund and the adviser may not achieve its intended result in managing the Fund.

·

Management Risk:  The net asset value of the Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities in which it invests. The ability of the Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to the adviser's selection of the Fund's assets using its DRS process.  The adviser's objective judgments, based on investment strategy, about the attractiveness and potential appreciation of particular investments in which the Fund invests and options it writes may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the adviser's investment strategy will produce the desired results.


·

Market Risk:  The net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate based on changes in the value of the securities in which the Fund invests and options it writes. The Fund invests in securities that may be more volatile and carry more risk than some other forms of investment. The price of securities may rise or fall because of economic or political changes. Security and option prices in general may decline over short or even extended periods of time. Market prices of securities and derivatives in broad market segments may be adversely affected by a prominent issuer having experienced losses, lack of earnings, failure to meet the market's expectations with respect to new products or services, or even by factors wholly unrelated to the value or condition of the issuer, such as changes in interest rates.

·

Option Risk:  The Fund may lose the entire put option premium paid if the underlying index does not decrease in value at expiration.  Put options on the S&P 500 Index may not be an effective hedge because they may have imperfect correlation to the value of the Fund's sector ETFs.  Purchased put options may decline in value due to changes in price of the underlying, passage of time and changes in volatility.  Written call and put options may limit the Fund's participation in equity market gains and may magnify the losses if the price of the written option instrument increases in value between the date when the Fund writes the option and the date on which the Fund purchases an offsetting position.  The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a written options (also known as a short position) if the price of the written option instrument increases in value between the date when the Fund writes the option and the date on which the Fund purchases an offsetting position.  The Fund's losses are potentially large in a written put transaction and potentially unlimited in an unhedged written call transaction.


Temporary Investments:  To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities and money market instruments.  These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include: shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements.  While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited.  Furthermore, to the extent that the Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays its pro-rata portion of such money market funds' advisory fees and operational fees.  The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.


Portfolio Holdings Disclosure:  A description of the Fund's policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.  


MANAGEMENT


Investment Adviser:  Swan Capital Management, Inc., located at 277 E. Third Avenue, Unit A, Durango, CO  81301, serves as investment adviser to the Fund.  Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's investment portfolio.  The adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund's investments according to its investment objective, polices, and restrictions.  The adviser is recently formed and has no other clients.  However, the adviser’s affiliate which is also founded by and owned by Randy Swan, Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc., was established in 1997 and serves individual investors, corporations, foundations, retirements plans and pooled investment vehicles such as the Fund.  As of April 30, 2012, Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc., had approximately $125 million in assets under management.


Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the adviser, on a monthly basis, an annual advisory fee equivalent to 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and to reimburse expenses, at least until October 31, 2013, to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or reimbursement (exclusive of any taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, indirect expenses, expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund may invest, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) will not exceed 1.65%, 2.40%, 1.40% and 1.65% of average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class C, Class I and No-Load Class shares, respectively.  Fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three year basis (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.  Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund's expenses and boost its performance.  A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' approval of the advisory agreement will be available in the Fund's first annual or semi-annual shareholder report.

 

Portfolio Manager:  

Randy Swan

President

Mr. Swan founded the adviser and oversees the team that runs all of the Firm's investment activities. Before starting the adviser in 2012 and Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc. in 1997, Mr. Swan was a Senior Manager for KPMG working in the financial services sector.  Mr. Swan is a 1990 graduate of University of Texas with a BBA and a MPA (Master's Degree in Professional Accounting).


The Fund's Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Portfolio Manager's compensation structure, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager, and the Portfolio Manager's ownership of shares of the Fund.


Prior Performance Information


The portfolio manager is also responsible for managing separate accounts for clients, all of which are invested in the "Defined Risk Strategy ("DRS")."  This strategy employs the same features of the Fund's principal investment strategies including investment in S&P 500 Index and sector ETFs and related options using the adviser's investment principals.  Consequently, the DRS is substantially similar to the strategy employed by the Fund.  Mr. Swan has full discretionary authority over the selection of investments for those DRS accounts, and intends to use substantially the same goals and style of investment management in managing the Fund.  The Swan Defined Risk Fund will have substantially the same investment objective, policies and strategies as the DRS accounts.


The information for the DRS accounts, which includes all substantially similar accounts, is provided to show the past performance of those accounts as measured against the specified benchmark and index.  The performance of the DRS accounts does not represent the historical performance of the Fund, and should not be considered indicative of future performance of the DRS accounts or the Fund.  Future results will differ from past results because of differences in future behavior of the various investment markets, in brokerage commissions, account expenses, the size of positions taken in relation to account size and diversification of securities, and the timing of purchases and sales, among other things.  In addition, the DRS accounts are not subject to certain investment limitations and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code which, if applicable, might have adversely affected the performance of the DRS accounts during the periods shown.  Performance of the Fund for future periods will definitely vary, and some months and some quarters may result in negative performance; indeed, some future years may have negative performance.


The adviser provided the information shown below and calculated the performance information. The DRS accounts' returns shown include realized and unrealized gains plus income, including accrued income.  These returns have been adjusted to reflect the estimated expenses of the shares of the Fund, including 12b-1 fees, in place of the fees charged for the DRS accounts.  The performance is shown net of estimated operating expenses of each shares class (excluding the expenses incurred within underlying funds, such as ETFs) for the first year of operations of the Fund.  Results include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains.  Returns from cash and cash equivalents in the DRS accounts are included in the performance calculations, and the cash and cash equivalents are included in the total assets on which the performance is calculated.  The DRS accounts were valued on a monthly basis, which differs from the SEC return calculation method that employs daily valuation.


Swan DRS Accounts Composite

Average Annual Total Returns

For the periods ended May 31, 2012

Swan DRS Accounts Composite 1

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Since
Inception
2

Assuming Class A Expenses and Load

-11.06%

4.03%

6.81%

8.18%

Assuming Class A Expenses

-5.56%

5.15%

7.40%

8.51%

Assuming Class C Expenses

-6.31%

4.39%

6.65%

7.75%

Assuming Class I Expenses

-5.31%

5.40%

7.65%

8.76%

Assuming No-Load Class Expenses

-5.56%

5.15%

7.40%

8.51%

S&P 500 Index 3

2.10%

-0.25%

2.92%

4.25%

1 As of May 31, 2012 the DRS Accounts totaled $126,500,000

2. The inception date for the DRS Accounts Composite is July 1, 1997.  

3 The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged basket of stocks.  Unlike a mutual fund, it also does not reflect any trading costs or management fees.


The following additional information is based upon the DRS Accounts Composite assuming Class I expenses, which are lower than the expenses of other share classes of the Fund.  If the expenses of other share classes had been used, returns would be lower.


Year-To-Year Returns

Swan DRS Composite

 

1997*

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008


DRS

18.23%

10.73%

11.95%

2.92%

7.02%

11.57%

-1.38%

12.00%

7.10%

17.80%

8.40%

-5.00%

S&P 500

9.98%

28.58%

21.04%

-9.10%

-11.89%

-22.10%

28.69%

10.88%

4.91%

15.79%

5.49%

-37.00%


 

2009

2010

2011

2012**


DRS

25.12%

7.50%

-5.74%

4.36%

S&P 500

26.46%

15.06%

2.10%

5.10%


*July 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997,  **Jan 1, 2012 to May 31, 2012



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HOW SHARES ARE PRICED


The net asset value ("NAV") and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of each class of shares is determined at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business.  NAV is computed by determining, on a per class basis, the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets-liabilities)/number of shares = NAV).  The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account, on a per class basis, the expenses and fees of the Fund, including management, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV for a share class for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.

Generally, the Fund's securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security's primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the last bid on the primary exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers' Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.  If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and evaluated by the Board as to the reliability of the fair value method used.  In these cases, the Fund's NAV will reflect certain portfolio securities' fair value rather than their market price.  Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available.

The Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the value of the Fund's securities.  In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for the Fund. Because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of some of the Fund's portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.  In computing the NAV, the Fund values foreign securities held by the Fund at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE.  Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates.  If events materially affecting the value of a security in the Fund's portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value.  For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, the adviser may need to price the security using the Fund's fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund's portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund's NAV by short term traders.  The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments.  As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.

With respect to any portion of the Fund's assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, each Fund's net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.


HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES


Share Classes

This Prospectus describes four classes of shares offered by the Fund. The main differences between each class are sales charges, ongoing fees and minimum investments.  For information on ongoing distribution fees, see Distribution Fees on page 27 of this Prospectus.  In choosing which class of shares to purchase, you should consider which will be most beneficial to you, given the amount of your purchase.  Each class of shares in the Fund represents an interest in the same portfolio of investments in the Fund. Not all share classes may be available for purchase in all states.

Class A Shares


Class A shares are offered at the public offering price, which is net asset value per share plus the applicable sales charge.  The sales charge varies, depending on how much you invest.  There are no sales charges on reinvested distributions.  You can also qualify for a sales charge reduction or waiver through a right of accumulation or a letter of intent if you are a U.S. resident. See the discussions of "Right of Accumulation" and "Letter of Intent" below. The Fund reserves the right to waive any load as described below.  The following sales charges apply to your purchases of Class A shares of the Fund:

 

Amount Invested

Sales Charge
as a % of Offering Price
(1)

Sales Charge
as a % of Amount Invested

Dealer

Reallowance

Less than $50,000

5.50%

5.82%

5.00%

$50,000 but less than $100,000

4.75%

4.99%

4.25%

$100,000 to $249,999

3.75%

3.83%

3.25%

$250,000 to $499,999

2.50%

2.56%

2.00%

$500,000 to $999,999

2.00%

2.04%

1.50%

$1,000,000 and above (2)

None

None

None

(1) Offering price includes the front-end sales load.  The sales charge you pay may differ slightly from the amount set forth above because of rounding that occurs in the calculation used to determine your sales charge.

(2) A selling broker may receive commissions on purchases of Class A shares over $1 million calculated as follows: 1.00% on purchases equal to or greater than $1 million but less than $3 million, 0.50% on amounts equal to or greater than $3 million but less than $5 million, 0.25% on amounts equal to or greater than $5 million.


As shown, investors that purchase $1,000,000 or more of the Fund's Class A shares will not pay any initial sales charge on the purchase.  However, purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") on shares redeemed during the first 12 months after their purchase in the amount of the commissions paid on the shares redeemed.


How to Reduce Your Sales Charge

You may be eligible to purchase Class A shares at a reduced sales charge. To qualify for these reductions, you must notify the Fund's distributor, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the "distributor"), in writing and supply your account number at the time of purchase.  You may combine your purchase with those of your "immediate family" (your spouse and your children under the age of 21) for purposes of determining eligibility.  If applicable, you will need to provide the account numbers of your spouse and your minor children as well as the ages of your minor children.

Rights of Accumulation: To qualify for the lower sales charge rates that apply to larger purchases of Class A shares, you may combine your new purchases of Class A shares with Class A shares of the Fund that you already own. The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is based on the total of your current purchase and the current value of all other Class A shares that you own. The reduced sales charge will apply only to current purchases and must be requested in writing when you buy your shares.

Shares of the Fund held as follows cannot be combined with your current purchase for purposes of reduced sales charges:

·

Shares held indirectly through financial intermediaries other than your current purchase broker-dealer (for example, a different broker-dealer, a bank, a separate insurance company account or an investment advisor);

·

Shares held through an administrator or trustee/custodian of an Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (for example, a 401(k) plan) other than employer-sponsored IRAs; and

·

Shares held directly in the Fund account on which the broker-dealer (financial advisor) of record is different than your current purchase broker-dealer.

Letters of Intent: Under a Letter of Intent ("LOI"), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount of Class A shares of the Fund, with a minimum of $[50,000], during a 13-month period. At your written request, Class A shares purchases made during the previous 90 days may be included.  The amount you agree to purchase determines the initial sales charge you pay.  If the full-face amount of the LOI is not invested by the end of the 13-month period, your account will be adjusted to the higher initial sales charge level for the amount actually invested.  You are not legally bound by the terms of your LOI to purchase the amount of your shares stated in the LOI.  The LOI does, however, authorize the Fund to hold in escrow 5% of the total amount you intend to purchase.  If you do not complete the total intended purchase at the end of the 13 month period, the Fund's transfer agent will redeem the necessary portion of the escrowed shares to make up the difference between the reduced rate sales charge (based on the amount you intended to purchase) and the sales charge that would normally apply (based on the actual amount you purchased).

Repurchase of Class A Shares: If you have redeemed Class A shares of the Fund within the past 120 days, you may repurchase an equivalent amount of Class A shares of the Fund at NAV, without the normal front-end sales charge. In effect, this allows you to reacquire shares that you may have had to redeem, without repaying the front-end sales charge. You may exercise this privilege only once and must notify the Fund that you intend to do so in writing. The Fund must receive your purchase order within 120 days of your redemption. Note that if you reacquire shares through separate installments (e.g., through monthly or quarterly repurchases), the sales charge waiver will only apply to those portions of your repurchase order received within 120 days of your redemption.

Sales Charge Waivers

The sales charge on purchases of Class A shares is waived for certain types of investors, including:

·

Current and retired directors and officers of the Fund sponsored by the adviser or any of its subsidiaries, their families (e.g., spouse, children, mother or father) and any purchases referred through the adviser.

·

Employees of the adviser and their families, or any full-time employee or registered representative of the distributor or of broker-dealers having dealer agreements with the distributor (a "Selling Broker") and their immediate families (or any trust, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the benefit of such persons).

·

Any full-time employee of a bank, savings and loan, credit union or other financial institution that utilizes a Selling Broker to clear purchases of the fund's shares and their immediate families.

·

Participants in certain "wrap-fee" or asset allocation programs or other fee-based arrangements sponsored by broker-dealers and other financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the distributor.

·

Clients of financial intermediaries that have entered into arrangements with the distributor providing for the shares to be used in particular investment products made available to such clients and for which such registered investment advisors may charge a separate fee.

·

Institutional investors (which may include bank trust departments and registered investment advisors).

·

Any accounts established on behalf of registered investment advisors or their clients by broker-dealers that charge a transaction fee and that have entered into agreements with the distributor.

·

Separate accounts used to fund certain unregistered variable annuity contracts or Section 403(b) or 401(a) or (k) accounts.

·

Employer-sponsored retirement or benefit plans with total plan assets in excess of $5 million where the plan's investments in the Fund are part of an omnibus account. A minimum initial investment of $1 million in the Fund is required. The distributor in its sole discretion may waive these minimum dollar requirements.

The Fund does not waive sales charges for the reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of shares of a different fund where those shares were subject to a front-end sales charge (sometimes called an "NAV transfer").

 

Class C Shares

Class C shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.  Class C shares pay up to 1.00% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund and/or shareholder services.  Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a Class C shareholder's investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges.  

 

Class I Shares


Class I shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge and are not subject to 12b-1 distribution fees, but have a higher minimum initial investment than other classes of shares. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.  

 

No-Load Class Shares

No-Load Class shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.  No-Load Class shares pay up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund and/or shareholder services.  Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a No-Load Class shareholder's investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges.  


Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts:  The minimum initial and subsequent investment by class of shares is:


 

Initial Investment

Subsequent Investment

Class

Regular
Account

Retirement
Account

Regular
Account

Retirement
Account

A

$2,500

$ 1,000

$ 500

$ 100

C

$2,500

$ 1,000

$ 500

$ 100

I

$ 100,000

$ 100,000

$ 500

$ 500

No-Load

$10,000

$ 1,000

$ 500

$ 100


The Fund reserves the right to waive any minimum.  There is no minimum investment requirement when you are buying shares by reinvesting dividends and distributions from the Fund.  


Purchasing Shares:  You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form to the following address:


Regular/Express/Overnight Mail

Swan Defined Risk Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4020 South 147th Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68137


The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions, including the Fund, to adopt certain policies and programs to prevent money-laundering activities, including procedures to verify the identity of customers opening new accounts.  As requested on the application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address.  Mailing addresses containing a P.O. Box will not be accepted.  This information will assist the Fund in verifying your identity.  Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases.  In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a shareholder's identity.  As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.


Automatic Investment Plan:  You may participate in the Fund's Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts.  You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account.  Please contact the Fund at 1-877-896-2590 for more information about the Fund's Automatic Investment Plan.


Purchase through Brokers:  You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund's distributor.  The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund.  The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or its designee receives the order.  The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums.  You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund.  Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund.  You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.


Purchase by Wire:  If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-877-896-2590 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming.  Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund's designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.


The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares.  Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased.  After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address.  Make all checks payable to the Fund.  The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashier's checks or money orders.  Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, U.S. Treasury checks, credit card checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares.


Note:  Gemini Fund Services, LLC, the Fund's transfer agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder's account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any check returned to the transfer agent for insufficient funds.


When Order is Processed:  All shares will be purchased at the NAV per share next determined after the Fund receives your application or request in good order.  All requests received in good order by the Fund before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be processed on that same day.  Requests received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed on the next business day.


Good Order:  When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order. "Good order" means your purchase request includes:

the name of the Fund

the dollar amount of shares to be purchased

a completed purchase application or investment stub

check payable to the "Swan Defined Risk Fund"


Retirement Plans:  You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans.  Please call the Fund at 1-877-896-2590 for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.


HOW TO REDEEM SHARES


Redeeming Shares:  You may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:  


Regular/Express/Overnight Mail

Swan Defined Risk Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4020 South 147th Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68137


Redemptions by Telephone:  The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts except retirement accounts.  If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account.  


The proceeds will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or wired directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application.  To redeem by telephone, call 1-877-896-2590. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions.  IRA accounts are not redeemable by telephone.


The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days.  Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss.  The Fund or the transfer agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine.  If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.  These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording telephone instructions.


Redemptions through Broker:  If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund.  The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.


Redemptions by Wire:  You may request that your redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The Fund's transfer agent imposes a $15 fee for each wire redemption and deducts the fee directly from your account. Your bank may also impose a fee for the incoming wire.


Automatic Withdrawal Plan:  If your individual accounts, IRA or other qualified plan account have a current account value of at least $[10,000], you may participate in the Fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers.  You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $250 on specified days of each month into your established bank account.  Please contact the Fund at 1-877-896-2590 for more information about the Fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan.


Redemptions in Kind:  The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders made by a shareholder during any 90-day period by making payment in whole or in part in portfolio securities ("redemption in kind") if the amount of such a request is large enough to affect operations (if the request is greater than the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net assets at the beginning of the 90-day period).  The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued using the same procedures as used in calculating the Fund's NAV. A shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.


When Redemptions are Sent:  Once the Fund receives your redemption request in "good order" as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request.  The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in "good order."  If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank (usually within 10 days of the purchase date).


Good Order:  Your redemption request will be processed if it is in "good order."  To be in good order, the following conditions must be satisfied:  

·

The request should be in writing, unless redeeming by telephone, indicating the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed;

·

The request must identify your account number;

·

The request should be signed by you and any other person listed on the account, exactly as the shares are registered; and

·

If you request that the redemption proceeds be sent to a person, bank or an address other than that of record or paid to someone other than the record owner(s), or if the address was changed within the last 30 days, or if the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor.


When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees:  If you wish to change the bank or brokerage account that you have designated on your account, you may do so at any time by writing to the Fund with your signature guaranteed.  A medallion signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account transfers.  You will need your signature guaranteed if:


·

you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund;

·

you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund;

·

the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000;

·

any redemption is transmitted by federal wire transfer to a bank other than the bank of record; or

·

your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request.


Signatures may be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution (including banks, brokers and dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations).  Further documentation will be required to change the designated account if shares are held by a corporation, fiduciary or other organization.  A notary public cannot guarantee signatures.


Retirement Plans:  If you own an IRA or other retirement plan, you must indicate on your redemption request whether the Fund should withhold federal income tax.  Unless you elect in your redemption request that you do not want to have federal tax withheld, the redemption will be subject to withholding. Please call the Fund at 1-877-896-2590 for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.


Low Balances:  If at any time your account balance falls below $1,000, the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to at least $1,000 within 30 days of the notice, your account could be closed.  After the notice period, the Fund may redeem all of your shares and close your account by sending you a check to the address of record.  Your account will not be closed if the account balance drops below required minimums due to a decline in NAV. The Fund will not charge any redemption fee on involuntary redemptions.


FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES


The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of the Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Fund's investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Fund's Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include:

·

Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund's "Market Timing Trading Policy;"

·

Rejecting or limiting specific purchase requests;

·

Rejecting purchase requests from certain investors; and

·

Charging a 1% redemption fee on shares sold within 30 days.

Though these methods involve judgments that are inherently subjective and involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to make judgments and applications that are consistent with the interests of the Fund's shareholders.

Based on the frequency of redemptions in your account, the adviser or transfer agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund's Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to (i) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases into the Fund and/or (ii) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future exchanges or redemptions out of the Fund.

The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase requests for any reason, particularly when the shareholder's trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the adviser will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase orders. The adviser may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor's financial advisor) from opening new accounts with the Fund.

Although the Fund attempts to limit disruptive trading activities, some investors use a variety of strategies to hide their identities and their trading practices. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify or limit these activities. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the Fund.  While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Fund's Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers who invest indirectly in the Fund, the Fund is limited in its ability to monitor the trading activity or enforce the Fund's Market Timing Trading Policy with respect to customers of financial intermediaries. For example, should it occur, the Fund may not be able to detect market timing that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify in the omnibus accounts used by those intermediaries for aggregated purchases, exchanges and redemptions on behalf of all their customers. More specifically, unless the financial intermediaries have the ability to apply the Fund's Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions and monitoring trading activity for what might be market timing, the Fund may not be able to determine whether trading by customers of financial intermediaries is contrary to the Fund's Market Timing Trading Policy. Brokers maintaining omnibus accounts with the Fund have agreed to provide shareholder transaction information to the extent known to the broker to the Fund upon request. If the Fund or its transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent suspects there is market timing activity in the account, the Fund will seek full cooperation from the service provider maintaining the account to identify the underlying participant. At the request of the adviser, the service providers may take immediate action to stop any further short-term trading by such participants.

TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS


Any sale or exchange of the Fund's shares may generate tax liability (unless you are a tax-exempt investor or your investment is in a qualified retirement account).  When you redeem your shares, you may realize a taxable gain or loss.  This is measured by the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the tax basis for the shares you sold.  (To aid in computing your tax basis, you generally should retain your account statements for the period that you hold shares in the Fund.)


The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains annually in December.  Both distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash.  Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares.  Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash.  Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January.  Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions.  IRAs and other qualified retirement plans are exempt from federal income taxation until retirement proceeds are paid out to the participant.


Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes.  A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them.


On the account application, you will be asked to certify that your social security number or taxpayer identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS.  If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds.  The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number.  If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending.  The Fund is required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.


This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice.  You should consult your own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund's shares.


DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES


Distributor:  Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 4020 South 147th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, is the distributor for the shares of the Fund.  Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA").  Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.


Distribution Fees:  The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan ("12b-1 Plan" or "Plan"), pursuant to which the Fund may pay the Fund's distributor an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses of 0.25%, 1.00% and 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class C and No-Load Class shares, respectively.


The Fund's distributor and other entities are paid under the Plan for services provided and the expenses borne by the distributor and others in the distribution of Fund shares, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of dealers and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering of the Fund's shares to other than current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the distributor or other entities may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate dealers or other entities for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any un-reimbursed expenses.


You should be aware that if you hold your shares for a substantial period of time, you may indirectly pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge allowed by the FINRA due to the recurring nature of distribution (12b-1) fees.


Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries:  The Fund's distributor, its affiliates, and the Fund's adviser and its affiliates may, at their own expense and out of their own assets including their legitimate profits from Fund-related activities, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund.  Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others.  These payments may be in addition to the Rule 12b-1 fees and any sales charges that are disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus.  These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support.  Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs.  These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders.  The distributor may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives to certain investment firms.  Such incentives may, at the distributor's discretion, be limited to investment firms who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in such additional compensation.

Householding:  To reduce expenses, we mail only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 1-877-896-2590 on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. We will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no financial highlights are available for the Fund at this time.  In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.






PRIVACY NOTICE

FACTS

WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL

INFORMATION?

  

 

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

   

What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

§ Social Security number

§ Purchase History

§ Assets

§ Account Balances

§ Retirement Assets

§ Account Transactions

§ Transaction History

§ Wire Transfer Instructions

§ Checking Account Information


  When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

  

 

 

How?

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons Northern Lights Fund Trust III chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

  

  

  

  

Reasons we can share your personal information

Does Northern Lights Fund Trust III share?

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

Yes

No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

No

We don't share

For joint marketing with other financial companies

No

We don't share

For our affiliates' everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

No

We don't share

For our affiliates' everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

No

We don't share

For nonaffiliates to market to you

No

We don't share

  

  

Questions?

Call (402) 493-4603

 

 

 Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

What we do

How does Northern Lights Fund Trust III protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.


Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does Northern Lights Fund Trust III collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

§ Open an account

§ Provide account information

§ Give us your contact information

§ Make deposits or withdrawals from your account

§ Make a wire transfer

§ Tell us where to send the money

§ Tells us who receives the money

§ Show your government-issued ID

§ Show your driver's license

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can't I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

   Sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes information about your creditworthiness

   Affiliates from using your information to market to you

   Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you


       State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates

   Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

§  Northern Lights Fund Trust III does not share with our affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies

§ Northern Lights Fund Trust III does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

§ Northern Lights Fund Trust III does not jointly market.


Swan Defined Risk Fund


Adviser

Swan Capital Management, Inc.

277 E. Third Avenue, Unit A

Durango, CO  81301

Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

4020 South 147th Street

Omaha, NE  68137

Independent Registered Public Accountant

BBD,LLP

1835 Market Street, 26th floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal
Counsel

Thompson Hine LLP

41 South High Street, 17th floor

Columbus, OH  43215

Custodian

Union Bank, N.A.

350 California Street, Suite 600

San Francisco, CA 94104

Transfer
Agent

Gemini Fund Services, LLC
4020 South 147th Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE  68137


Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information dated June 26, 2012 (the "SAI").  The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus).  The SAI provides more details about the Trust's policies and management.  Additional information about the Fund's investments will also be available in the Fund's Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders.  In the Fund's Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.


To obtain a free copy of the SAI and, when issued, the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call 1-877-896-2590 or visit www.swandefinedriskfund.com.  You may also write to:


Swan Defined Risk Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4020 South 147th Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68137


You may review and obtain copies of the Fund's information at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.  Please call 1-202-551-8090 for information relating to the operation of the Public Reference Room.  Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.  Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.


Investment Company Act File # 811-22655




Swan Defined Risk Fund

a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III


Class

A

Shares

SDRAX

Class

C

Shares

SDRCX

Class

I

Shares

SDRIX

No-Load

Class

Shares






STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


June 26, 2012



This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a Prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Swan Defined Risk Fund (the "Fund") dated June 26, 2012, which is incorporated by reference into this SAI (i.e., legally made a part of this SAI).  Copies may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund's Transfer Agent, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 4020 South 147th Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68137 or by calling 1- 877-896-2590 .  You may also obtain a prospectus by visiting the Fund's website at   www.swandefinedriskfund.com.







TABLE OF CONTENTS


THE FUND

1

INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

 

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

DISTRIBUTOR

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

 

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

 

TAX STATUS

 

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

 

MANAGEMENT

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 




THE FUND



The Swan Defined Risk Fund is a diversified series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust organized on December 5, 2011 (the "Trust").  The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company.  The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the "Board" or "Trustees").  


The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest.  All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges.  Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote.  In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares, on a class-specific basis, (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities.  Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights.  Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.


Swan Capital Management, Inc. (the "Adviser") is the Fund's investment adviser. The Fund's investment objectives, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the Prospectus.  The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.


The Fund offers four classes of shares:  Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I and No-Load Class shares. No-Load Class shares are not currently available. Each share class represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund, has the same rights and is identical in all material respects except that (i) each class of shares may be subject to different (or no) sales loads; (ii) each class of shares may bear different (or no) distribution fees; (iii) each class of shares may have different shareholder features, such as minimum investment amounts; (iv) certain other class-specific expenses will be borne solely by the class to which such expenses are attributable, including transfer agent fees attributable to a specific class of shares, printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials to current shareholders of a specific class, registration fees paid by a specific class of shares, the expenses of administrative personnel and services required to support the shareholders of a specific class, litigation or other legal expenses relating to a class of shares, Trustees' fees or expenses paid as a result of issues relating to a specific class of shares and accounting fees and expenses relating to a specific class of shares and (v) each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its own distribution arrangements.  The Board of Trustees may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date.  


Under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal.  Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders.  As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.


INVESTMENTS AND RISKS


 

The investment objective of the Fund and the descriptions of the Fund's principal investment strategies are set forth under "Investment Objective, Principal Investment Strategies, Related Risks" in the Prospectus.  The Fund's investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust.


The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, strategies the Adviser may employ in pursuit of the Fund's investment objective and a summary of related risks.


Equity Securities


Equity securities in which the Fund invests include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible bonds, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.


Common Stock


Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company's stock price.


Preferred Stock


The Fund may invest in preferred stock with no minimum credit rating. Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.


The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed-income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market's perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company's worth.


Convertible Securities


The Fund may invest in convertible securities with no minimum credit rating. Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer's underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of "usable" bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer's capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security's underlying common stock.


Warrants


The Fund may invest in warrants. Warrants are options to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging from less than one year to twenty years, or they may be perpetual. However, most warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, a warrant is worthless if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant's exercise price during the life of the warrant. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.


Depositary Receipts


The Fund may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), which are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights. Many of the risks described below regarding foreign securities apply to investments in ADRs.


Income Trusts


The Fund may invest in income trusts which are investment trusts that hold assets that are income producing.  The income is passed on to the "unitholders."  Each income trust has an operating risk based on its underlying business.  The term may also be used to designate a legal entity, capital structure and ownership vehicle for certain assets or businesses.  Shares or "trust units" are traded on securities exchanges just like stocks.  Income is passed on to the investors, called unitholders, through monthly or quarterly distributions.  Historically, distributions have typically been higher than dividends on common stocks.  The unitholders are the beneficiaries of a trust, and their units represent their right to participate in the income and capital of the trust. Income trusts generally invest funds in assets that provide a return to the trust and its beneficiaries based on the cash flows of an underlying business.  This return is often achieved through the acquisition by the trust of equity and debt instruments, royalty interests or real properties. The trust can receive interest, royalty or lease payments from an operating entity carrying on a business, as well as dividends and a return of capital.


Each income trust has an operating risk based on its underlying business; and, typically, the higher the yield, the higher the risk. They also have additional risk factors, including, but not limited to, poorer access to debt markets.  Similar to a dividend paying stock, income trusts do not guarantee minimum distributions or even return of capital.  If the business starts to lose money, the trust can reduce or even eliminate distributions; this is usually accompanied by sharp losses in a unit's market value.  Since the yield is one of the main attractions of income trusts, there is the risk that trust units will decline in value if interest rates offering in competing markets, such as in the cash/treasury market, increase.  Interest rate risk is also present within the trusts themselves because they hold very long term capital assets (e.g. pipelines, power plants, etc.), and much of the excess distributable income is derived from a maturity (or duration) mismatch between the life of the asset, and the life of the financing associated with it.  In an increasing interest rate environment, not only does the attractiveness of trust distributions decrease, but quite possibly, the distributions may themselves decrease, leading to a double whammy of both declining yield and substantial loss of unitholder value.  Because most income is passed on to unitholders, rather than reinvested in the business, in some cases, a trust can become a wasting asset unless more equity is issued.  Because many income trusts pay out more than their net income, the unitholder equity (capital) may decline over time. To the extent that the value of the trust is driven by the deferral or reduction of tax, any change in government tax regulations to remove the benefit will reduce the value of the trusts.  Generally, income trusts also carry the same risks as dividend paying stocks that are traded on stock markets.


Publicly Traded Partnerships


The Fund may invest in publicly traded partnerships ("PTPs").  PTPs are limited partnerships the interests in which (known as "units") are traded on public exchanges, just like corporate stock.  PTPs are limited partnerships that provide an investor with a direct interest in a group of assets (generally, oil and gas properties).  Publicly traded partnership units typically trade publicly, like stock, and thus may provide the investor more liquidity than ordinary limited partnerships.  Publicly traded partnerships are also called master limited partnerships and public limited partnerships.  A limited partnership has one or more general partners (they may be individuals, corporations, partnerships or another entity) which manage the partnership, and limited partners, which provide capital to the partnership but have no role in its management.  When an investor buys units in a PTP, he or she becomes a limited partner.  PTPs are formed in several ways. A non-traded partnership may decide to go public.  Several non-traded partnerships may "roll up" into a single PTP.  A corporation may spin off a group of assets or part of its business into a PTP of which it is the general partner, either to realize what it believes to be the assets' full value or as an alternative to issuing debt.  A corporation may fully convert to a PTP, although since 1986 the tax consequences have made this an unappealing option; or, a newly formed company may operate as a PTP from its inception.


There are different types of risks to investing in PTPs including regulatory risks and interest rate risks.  Currently most partnerships enjoy pass through taxation of their income to partners, which avoids double taxation of earnings. If the government were to change PTP business tax structure, unitholders would not be able to enjoy the relatively high yields in the sector for long.  In addition, PTP's which charge government-regulated fees for transportation of oil and gas products through their pipelines are subject to unfavorable changes in government-approved rates and fees, which would affect a PTPs revenue stream negatively.  PTPs also carry some interest rate risks. During increases in interest rates, PTPs may not produce decent returns to shareholders.


Real Estate Investment Trusts


The Fund may invest in securities of real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). REITs are publicly traded corporations or trusts that specialize in acquiring, holding and managing residential, commercial or industrial real estate. A REIT is not taxed at the entity level on income distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it distributes to shareholders or unitholders at least 95% of its taxable income for each taxable year and complies with regulatory requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets and income.


REITs generally can be classified as "Equity REITs", "Mortgage REITs" and "Hybrid REITs." An Equity REIT invests the majority of its assets directly in real property and derives its income primarily from rents and from capital gains on real estate appreciation, which are realized through property sales. A Mortgage REIT invests the majority of its assets in real estate mortgage loans and services its income primarily from interest payments. A Hybrid REIT combines the characteristics of an Equity REIT and a Mortgage REIT. Although the Fund can invest in all three kinds of REITs, its emphasis is expected to be on investments in Equity REITs.


Investments in the real estate industry involve particular risks. The real estate industry has been subject to substantial fluctuations and declines on a local, regional and national basis in the past and may continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property may decline due to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhoods and in demographics, increases in market interest rates, or other factors. Factors such as these may adversely affect companies that own and operate real estate directly, companies that lend to such companies, and companies that service the real estate industry.


Investments in REITs also involve risks. Equity REITs will be affected by changes in the values of and income from the properties they own, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the credit quality of the mortgage loans they hold. In addition, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills and on their ability to generate cash flow for operating purposes and to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders REITs may have limited diversification and are subject to risks associated with obtaining financing for real property, as well as to the risk of self-liquidation. REITs also can be adversely affected by their failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through treatment of their income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or their failure to maintain an exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. By investing in REITs indirectly through a Fund, a shareholder bears not only a proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also may indirectly bear similar expenses of some of the REITs in which it invests.


Fixed Income/Debt/Bond Securities


Yields on fixed income securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in the Fund will be subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund's portfolio are paid in full at maturity. All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer's actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.


There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets' perception of an issuer's creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market's perception of an issuer's creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities may become impaired.


The corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate bonds and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their or their affiliate's current obligations and is frequently unsecured. Variable and floating rate demand notes are unsecured obligations typically redeemable upon not more than 30 days' notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days' notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.


The Fund may invest in debt securities, including non-investment grade debt securities.  The following describes some of the risks associated with fixed income debt securities:


Interest Rate Risk. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and mortgage securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes although they usually offer higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risks. The longer the maturity of the security, the greater the impact a change in interest rates could have on the security's price. In addition, short-term and long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in the same amount or the same direction. Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates and long-term securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest rates.


Credit Risk. Fixed income securities have speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of those issuers to make principal or interest payments, as compared to issuers of more highly rated securities.


Extension Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as mortgage-backed securities) later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise in interest rates. These events may lengthen the duration (i.e. interest rate sensitivity) and potentially reduce the value of these securities.


Prepayment Risk. Certain types of debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed securities may include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, payments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans.


Securities subject to prepayment are less effective than other types of securities as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.


At times, some of the mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses in securities purchased at a premium, as unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, will cause the Fund to experience a loss equal to any unamortized premium.


Certificates of Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances


Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity.


The Fund may invest in insured bank obligations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as "banks") up to $250,000. The Fund may purchase bank obligations that are fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.  


Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.


Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes


The Fund may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties. The commercial paper obligations, which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a "Master Note") permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between the Fund as Lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Fund's advisor will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to the Fund's investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.


Commercial Paper


The Fund may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations.  It may be secured by letters of credit, a surety bond or other forms of collateral.  Commercial paper is usually repaid at maturity by the issuer from the proceeds of the issuance of new commercial paper.  As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to the risk the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial paper, also known as rollover risk.  Commercial paper may become illiquid or may suffer from reduced liquidity in certain circumstances.  Like all fixed income securities, commercial paper prices are susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates.  If interest rates rise, commercial paper prices will decline.  The short-term nature of a commercial paper investment makes it less susceptible to interest rate risk than many other fixed income securities because interest rate risk typically increases as maturity lengths increase.  Commercial paper tends to yield smaller returns than longer-term corporate debt because securities with shorter maturities typically have lower effective yields than those with longer maturities.  As with all fixed income securities, there is a chance that the issuer will default on its commercial paper obligation.


Repurchase Agreements


The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known as the "underlying security") from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be "fully collateralized," in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.

 

Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by the Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while the Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

High Yield Securities


The Fund may invest in high yield securities.  High yield, high risk bonds are securities that are generally rated below investment grade by the primary rating agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Ba1 or lower by Moody's). Other terms used to describe such securities include "lower rated bonds," "non-investment grade bonds," "below investment grade bonds," and "junk bonds." These securities are considered to be high-risk investments. The risks include the following:


Greater Risk of Loss.  These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower rated securities will default than issuers of higher rated securities. Issuers of lower rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.


Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes.  The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn. For example, in 2000, 2001 and 2002, the default rate for high yield securities was significantly higher than in the prior or subsequent years.


Valuation Difficulties.  It is often more difficult to value lower rated securities than higher rated securities. If an issuer's financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher rated securities.


Liquidity.  There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer's financial condition is deteriorating.


Credit Quality.  Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.


New Legislation.  Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980's, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on the Fund's investments in lower rated securities.


High yield, high risk investments may include the following:


Straight fixed-income debt securities. These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.


Zero-coupon debt securities. These bear no interest obligation but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.


Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities. These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to interest-bearing debt securities.


Pay-in-kind bonds. These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds.  These are bonds sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.


Convertible Securities. These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.


Preferred Stock. These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.


Loan Participations and Assignments. These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries ("LDCs").


Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings. In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities.  The  Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.


Municipal Government Obligations


In general, municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities.  Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes.  Certain types of municipal obligations are issued in whole or in part to obtain funding for privately operated facilities or projects.  Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, notes and municipal lease obligations.  Municipal obligations also include additional obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, that may become available in the future as long as the Board of the Fund determines that an investment in any such type of obligation is consistent with the Fund's investment objectives.  Municipal obligations may be fully or partially backed by local government, the credit of a private issuer, current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or domestic or foreign entities providing credit support such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance.


Bonds and Notes.  General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of interest and principal.  Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a project or facility or from the proceeds of a specified revenue source.  Industrial development bonds are generally revenue bonds secured by payments from and the credit of private users.  Municipal notes are issued to meet the short-term funding requirements of state, regional and local governments.  Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes, short-term discount notes, tax-exempt commercial paper, demand notes and similar instruments.


Municipal Lease Obligations.  Municipal lease obligations may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase or a conditional sales contract.  They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment and facilities, such as vehicles, telecommunications and computer equipment and other capital assets.  The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that purchase these lease obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such lease obligations (See "Participation Interests" section). States have different requirements for issuing municipal debt and issuing municipal leases.  Municipal leases are generally subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds because they usually contain a "non-appropriation" clause, which provides that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year.  Such non-appropriation clauses are required to avoid the municipal lease obligations from being treated as debt for state debt restriction purposes.  Accordingly, such obligations are subject to "non-appropriation" risk.  Municipal leases may be secured by the underlying capital asset and it may be difficult to dispose of any such asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default.


United States Government Obligations


These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis. The Fund may also invest in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS).  TIPS are special types of treasury bonds that were created in order to offer bond investors protection from inflation.  The values of the TIPS are automatically adjusted to the inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  If the CPI goes up by half a percent, the value of the bond (the TIPS) would also go up by half a percent.  If the CPI falls, the value of the bond does not fall because the government guarantees that the original investment will stay the same. TIPS decline in value when real interest rates rise.  However, in certain interest rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than nominal interest rates, TIPS may experience greater losses than other fixed income securities with similar duration.


United States Government Agency Obligations


These consist of debt securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), Farmer's Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association).  On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Authority (the "FHFA") announced that FNMA and FHLMC had been placed into conservatorship, a statutory process designed to stabilize a troubled institution with the objective of returning the entity to normal business operations.  The U.S. Treasury Department and the FHFA at the same time established a secured lending facility and a Secured Stock Purchase Agreement with both FNMA and FHLMC to ensure that each entity had the ability to fulfill its financial obligations.  The FHFA announced that it does not anticipate any disruption in pattern of payments or ongoing business operations of FNMA and FHLMC.


Government-related guarantors (i.e. not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.


FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates ("PC's"), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC's national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.


Mortgage Pass-Through Securities


Interests in pools of mortgage pass-through securities differ from other forms of debt securities (which normally provide periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts and the payment of principal in a lump sum at maturity or on specified call dates). Instead, mortgage pass-through securities provide monthly payments consisting of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a "pass-through" of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the underlying residential mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Unscheduled payments of principal may be made if the underlying mortgage loans are repaid or refinanced or the underlying properties are foreclosed, thereby shortening the securities' weighted average life. Some mortgage pass-through securities (such as securities guaranteed by GNMA) are described as "modified pass-through securities." These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, on the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether the mortgagor actually makes the payment.


The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage pass-through securities is GNMA. GNMA is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by lending institutions approved by GNMA (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of mortgage loans. These mortgage loans are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. A "pool" or group of such mortgage loans is assembled and after being approved by GNMA, is offered to investors through securities dealers.


Government-related guarantors of mortgage pass-through securities (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury) include FNMA and FHLMC.  FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved sellers/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Mortgage pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.


FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a U.S. government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates ("PCs"), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC's national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.


Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage pass-through securities. The Fund does not purchase interests in pools created by such non-governmental issuers.


Resets. The interest rates paid on the Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities ("ARMs") in which the Fund may invest generally are readjusted or reset at intervals of one year or less to an increment over some predetermined interest rate index. There are two main categories of indices: those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure, such as a cost of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include the one-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury Note rates, the three-month Treasury Bill rate, the 180-day Treasury Bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the National Median Cost of Funds, the one-month or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the prime rate of a specific bank, or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury Note rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others tend to lag changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.


Caps and Floors. The underlying mortgages which collateralize the ARMs in which the Fund invests will frequently have caps and floors which limit the maximum amount by which the loan rate to the residential borrower may change up or down: (1) per reset or adjustment interval, and (2) over the life of the loan. Some residential mortgage loans restrict periodic adjustments by limiting changes in the borrower's monthly principal and interest payments rather than limiting interest rate changes. These payment caps may result in negative amortization. The value of mortgage securities in which the Fund invests may be affected if market interest rates rise or fall faster and farther than the allowable caps or floors on the underlying residential mortgage loans. Additionally, even though the interest rates on the underlying residential mortgages are adjustable, amortization and prepayments may occur, thereby causing the effective maturities of the mortgage securities in which the Fund invests to be shorter than the maturities stated in the underlying mortgages.


Securities of Other Investment Companies


The Fund's investments in Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs"), mutual funds and closed-end funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in the underlying fund. Due to legal limitations, the Fund will be prevented from: 1) purchasing more than 3% of an investment company's (including ETFs) outstanding shares; 2) investing more than 5% of the Fund's assets in any single such investment company, and 3) investing more than 10% of the Fund's assets in investment companies overall;  unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"); and (ii) the underlying investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. In the alternative, the Fund may rely on Rule 12d1-3, which allows unaffiliated mutual funds to exceed the 5% limitation and the 10% limitation, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays (i.e., the combined distribution expenses of both the acquiring fund and the acquired fund) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by FINRA for funds of funds. In addition to ETFs, the Fund may invest in other investment companies such as open-end mutual funds or exchange-traded closed-end funds, within the limitations described above.


Closed-End Investment Companies


The Fund may invest its assets in "closed-end" investment companies (or "closed-end funds"), subject to the investment restrictions set forth above. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% or 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as "NASDAQ") and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.


The Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund's proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.


The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the "market discount" of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.


The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund's shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.


Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund's common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund's common shareholders. The Fund's investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.


Open-end Investment Companies


The Fund and any "affiliated persons," as defined by the 1940 Act, may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund.  Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying fund, the Fund's ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the Adviser must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not have been its first preference.  The 1940 Act also provides that an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by the Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund's outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by the Fund in excess of 1% of an underlying fund's outstanding securities therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of the Fund's total assets.


Under certain circumstances, an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.


Investment decisions by the investment advisers of the underlying fund(s) are made independently of the Fund and its Adviser. Therefore, the investment adviser of one underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose shares are being sold by the investment adviser of another such fund. The result would be an indirect expense to the Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.


Exchange Traded Funds


ETFs are generally passive funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts (UITs).  ETFs typically have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap "creation units" in block-multiples of, for example, 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the net asset value (NAV) is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.


Foreign Securities


General.  The Fund may invest in foreign securities and exchange traded funds ("ETFs") and other investment companies that hold a portfolio of foreign securities.  Investing in securities of foreign companies and countries involves certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. government securities and securities of domestic companies.  There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.  There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States.  Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to the Fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government.  There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries.  Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.


To the extent the Fund's currency exchange transactions do not fully protect the Fund against adverse changes in currency exchange rates, decreases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund will invest relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding decrease in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated in those currencies (and possibly a corresponding increase in the amount of securities required to be liquidated to meet distribution requirements).  Conversely, increases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund invests relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding increase in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets (and possibly a corresponding decrease in the amount of securities to be liquidated).


Emerging Markets Securities  


The Fund may purchase securities of emerging market issuers and ETFs and other investment companies that invest in emerging market securities.  Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater than, risks of investing in foreign developed countries.  These risks include: smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible repatriation of investment income and capital.  In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales.  Future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies.  The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by the Fund.  Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.

 

Additional risks of emerging markets securities may include: greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability; more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; companies that are newly organized and small; differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers; and less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions. Settlement problems may cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of the security.


Securities Options

The Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.

A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.

Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index. Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.

The Fund's obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund's execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have paid a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account, as described below, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.

If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.

Certain Risks Regarding Options. There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, a fund's ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund's securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Fund's securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by the Fund.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

Cover for Options Positions. Transactions using options (other than options that the Fund has purchased) expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either (i) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities or other options or (ii) cash or liquid securities with a value sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not covered as provided in (i) above. The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian in the prescribed amount. Under current SEC guidelines, the Fund will segregate assets to cover transactions in which the Fund writes or sells options.

Assets used as cover or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding option is open, unless they are replaced with similar assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund's assets to cover or segregated accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Options on Futures Contracts


The Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.


Dealer Options


The Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer options. While the Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to purchase a dealer option it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.


Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not. Consequently, the Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a dealer option, it may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, because the Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets, which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair the Fund's ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.


The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. The Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the dealer option it has written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, the Fund will treat dealer options as subject to the Fund's limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of dealer options, the Fund will change its treatment of such instruments accordingly.


Spread Transactions


The Fund may purchase covered spread options from securities dealers. These covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or exchange-traded. The purchase of a spread option gives the Fund the right to put securities that it owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relationship to another security that the Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk to the Fund, in addition to the risks of dealer options described above, is the cost of the premium paid as well as any transaction costs. The purchase of spread options will be used to protect the Fund against adverse changes in prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e., the yield spread between high quality and lower quality securities. This protection is provided only during the life of the spread options.


Futures Contracts


A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are paid when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.


Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain the Fund's open positions in futures contracts, the Fund would be required to deposit with its custodian or futures broker in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as "initial margin." The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.


If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund.


These subsequent payments, called "variation margin," to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to the market." The Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.


Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.


For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index future is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Settlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.


Regulation as a Commodity Pool Operator

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has filed with the National Futures Association, a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to the Fund's operation.  Accordingly, the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.

When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements


The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled "Custodian") will segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account. Normally, the Custodian will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, the Fund may be required subsequently to segregate additional assets in order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of the Fund's commitment. It may be expected that the Fund's net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.


The Fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because the Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund's liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event the Fund's forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.


The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases, the Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When the Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.


The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of the Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.


Illiquid and Restricted Securities


The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")) and securities that are otherwise not readily marketable (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.


Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.


A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA").

Under guidelines adopted by the Trust's Board, the Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two National Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs") or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.  


Rule 144A securities and Section 4(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund's assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.


Lending Portfolio Securities


For the purpose of achieving income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the Fund.


Short Sales


The Fund may sell securities short as an outright investment strategy and to offset potential declines in long positions in similar securities. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own or have the right to acquire (or that it owns but does not wish to deliver) in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline.


When the Fund makes a short sale, the broker-dealer through which the short sale is made must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the party purchasing the security. The Fund is required to make a margin deposit in connection with such short sales; the Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on borrowed securities.


If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund covers its short position, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.


To the extent the Fund sells securities short, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales "against the box") will maintain additional asset coverage in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities with its custodian in a segregated account in an amount at least equal to the difference between the current market value of the securities sold short and any amounts required to be deposited as collateral with the selling broker (not including the proceeds of the short sale). The Fund does not intend to enter into short sales (other than short sales "against the box") if immediately after such sales the aggregate of the value of all collateral plus the amount in such segregated account exceeds 30% of the value of the Fund's net assets. This percentage may be varied by action of the Board of Trustees. A short sale is "against the box" to the extent the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short.


PORTFOLIO TURNOVER


The Fund may sell a portfolio investment soon after its acquisition if the Adviser believes that such a disposition is consistent with attaining the investment objective of the Fund.  Portfolio investments may be sold for a variety of reasons, such as a more favorable investment opportunity or other circumstances bearing on the desirability of continuing to hold such investments.  A high rate of portfolio turnover (over 100%) may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs, which must be borne directly by the Fund and ultimately by its shareholders.  High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of substantial net capital gains.  To the extent short-term capital gains are realized, distributions attributable to such gains will be ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.


INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS


 

The Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding shares" of the Fund which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.  The Fund may not:


1.

Issue senior securities.  This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund's engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff;


2.

Borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund's total assets at the time when the borrowing is made.  This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions;


3.

Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities, and except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities);


4.

Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate.  This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts);


5.

Invest 25% or more of the market value of its assets in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry. (Does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities);


6.

Purchase or sell commodities (unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments or through commodity futures contracts), except that the Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and options to the full extent permitted under the 1940 Act, sell foreign currency contracts in accordance with any rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities, and invest in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities; or


7.

Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan, and (c) by loaning portfolio securities.


The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental and which may be changed without shareholder vote. The Fund may not:


1.

Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control or management;


2.

Invest in securities of other investment companies except as permitted under the 1940 Act;


3.

Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets in securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities, which are not readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days to maturity However, if more than 15% of Fund assets (defined as net assets plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) are illiquid, the Fund's investment adviser(s) will reduce illiquid assets such that they do not represent more than 15% of Fund assets, subject to timing and other considerations which are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders; or


4.

Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1) above.  Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.


If a restriction on the Fund's investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund's investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund's total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.


INVESTMENT ADVISER


The Adviser.  Swan Capital Management, Inc., located at 277 E. Third Avenue, Unit A, Durango, CO  81301, serves as investment adviser to the Fund.  Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's investment portfolio.  The adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund's investments according to its investment objective, polices, and restrictions.   The adviser is recently formed and has no other clients.  However, the adviser’s affiliate which is also founded by and owned by Randy Swan, Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc., was established in 1997 and serves individual investors, corporations, foundations, retirements plans and pooled investment vehicles such as the Fund.  As of April 30, 2012, Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc., had approximately $125 million in assets under management.


Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the adviser, on a monthly basis, an annual advisory fee equivalent to 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.  The adviser , has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and to reimburse expenses, at least until October 31, 2013 to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or reimbursement (exclusive of any taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, indirect expenses, expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund may invest, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) will not exceed 1.65%, 2.40%, 1.40% and 1.65% of average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class C, Class I and No-Load Class shares, respectively.  Fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three year basis (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.  Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund's expenses and boost its performance.   The Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for two (2) years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on no more than 60 days written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Trust's outstanding shares. The Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.


PORTFOLIO MANAGER

 

Portfolio Manager.  As described in the Prospectus, the Portfolio Manager listed below is responsible for the management of the Fund and, as of May 30, 2012, the other accounts set forth in the following table.  None of the accounts pays a performance fee.

 

  

  

Other Registered Investment Companies

  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

  

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers

Portfolio Manager

  

Number

  

Total

Assets

  

Number

  

Total Assets

  

Number

  

Total

Assets

Randy Swan

  

None

  

$0

  

None

  

$0

  

825

  

$142,212,844


Conflicts of Interest


In general, when a Portfolio Manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or it could receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below for the Portfolio Manager.


The Adviser and its associates attempt to avoid conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the management of multiple client accounts. From time to time, the Adviser may recommend or cause a client to invest in a security in which another client of the Adviser has an ownership position.  The Adviser has adopted certain procedures intended to treat all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner.  To the extent that the Adviser seeks to purchase or sell the same security for multiple client accounts, the Adviser may aggregate, or bunch, these orders where it deems this to be appropriate and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements.  When a bunched order is filled in its entirety, each participating client account will participate at the average share prices for the bunched order.  When a bunched order is only partially filled, the securities purchased will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to each account participating in the bunched order based upon the initial amount requested for the account, subject to certain exceptions.  Each participating account will receive the average share price for the bunched order on the same business day.


Compensation.


For services as Portfolio Manager to the Fund, Mr. Swan receives a fixed salary from the Adviser] and will also share in its profits, if any.  


Ownership of Securities.


As of the date of this SAI, the Portfolio Manager beneficially owned the following amounts in the Fund:


Portfolio Manager

Dollar Range of Shares Beneficially Owned

Randy Swan

None

 

ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE



Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the Portfolio Manager who is an employee of the Adviser.  Generally, the Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund's use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.


In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration:

·

the best net price available;

·

the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer;

·

the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and

·

the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis.

Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and research services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund.


POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS



The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund's portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of Fund shareholders.


It is the Trust's policy to:  (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts between the interests of the Trust's shareholders and those of the Trust's affiliates.


The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period.  In addition, the Fund discloses its portfolio holdings reports on Forms N-CSR and Form N-Q two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.  


The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings information available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg more frequently on a confidential basis.


Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Fund's portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q.  In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.  


Adviser.  Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund's portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Adviser to provide management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund.  As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.


Gemini Fund Services, LLC.  Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the transfer agent, fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund's portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.


Union Bank, N.A. is custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund's portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.


BBD, LLP is the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund's portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund's annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.  


Thompson Hine LLP.  Thompson Hine LLP is counsel to the Fund; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund's portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.


Additions to List of Approved Recipients


The Fund's Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund's portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above.  In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Fund, the Adviser, or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund's portfolio holdings.


Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures


The Fund's Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Fund's portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.


There is no assurance that the Trust's policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.


OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS


Fund Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agent Services

Gemini Fund Services, LLC ("GFS"), which has its principal office at 450 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge, New York 11788, serves as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with the Fund and subject to the supervision of the Board.  GFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. GFS is an affiliate of the Distributor. GFS may also provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.


The Agreement became effective upon commencement of operations and will remain in effect for two years from the applicable effective date for the Fund, and will continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board.  The Agreement is terminable by the Board or GFS on 90 days' written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this agreement without the prior written consent of GFS. The Agreement provides that GFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the Agreement.

Under the Agreement, GFS performs administrative services, including:  (1) monitor the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others service providers; (2) monitor Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Fund's registration statement and applicable laws and rules; (3) prepare and coordinate the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements; (4) prepare selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses; (5) prepare and disseminate materials for and attend and participate in meetings of the Board; (6) determine income and capital gains available for distribution and calculate distributions required to meet regulatory, income, and excise tax requirements; (7) review the Trust's federal, state, and local tax returns as prepared and signed by the Trust's independent public accountants; (8) prepare and maintain the Trust's operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to each Fund to calculate its daily net asset value; (9) assist in and monitor the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of amendments to the Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2, proxy materials and reports to the SEC on Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and N-PX; (10) coordinate the Trust's audits and examinations by assisting each Fund's independent public accountants; (11) determine, in consultation with others, the jurisdictions in which shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale and facilitate such registration or qualification; (12) monitor sales of shares and ensure that the shares are properly and duly registered with the SEC; (13) monitor the calculation of performance data for the Fund; (14) prepare, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports; (15) prepare authorization for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust; (16) provide information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment companies; (17) upon request, assist each Fund in the evaluation and selection of other service providers, such as independent public accountants, printers, EDGAR providers and proxy solicitors (such parties may be affiliates of GFS); and (18) perform other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request.

For the administrative services rendered to the Fund by GFS, the Fund pays GFS a fee equal to the greater of a minimum fee of $35,000 or 0.08% on the first $200 million of net assets, 0.06% on the next $300 million of net assets and 0.04% on net assets on the next $500 million of net assets and 0.03% on net assets greater than $1 billion. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.


GFS also provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund's listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund's custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.


For the fund accounting services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement, the Fund pays GFS an annual fee of $24,000 plus 0.01% on net assets greater than $25 million. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.  


GFS also acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to the Agreement. Under the agreement, GFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.


For such services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement, the Fund pays GFS a fee equal to the greater of (i) a minimum fee of  $15,000 and (ii) $14 per open account and $2.00 per closed account. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.  


Custodian

  

Union Bank, National Association, (the "Custodian"), 350 California Street, suite 600, San Francisco, California 94104 serves as the custodian of the Fund's assets pursuant to a custody agreement (the "Custody Agreement") by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund.  The Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund's investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Co-Advisers. The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.  


Compliance Services


Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC ("NLCS"), located at 450 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788, an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust.


INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



The Fund has selected BBD, LLP, located at 1835 Market Street, 26th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, as its independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year.  The firm provides services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, and (ii) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.


LEGAL COUNSEL



Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, 17th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215 serves as the Trust's legal counsel.


DISTRIBUTOR



Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 4020 South 147th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137 (the "Distributor") serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Trust pursuant to an underwriting agreement with the Trust (the "Underwriting Agreement"). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state's securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offering of the Fund's shares are continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use its best efforts to distribute the Fund's shares.


The Underwriting Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated, it will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.


The Underwriting Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund on 60 days written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days written notice to the Fund. The Underwriting Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.


Rule 12b-1 Plan


The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan and Agreement pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan") pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distributor's account maintenance services under this Plan, a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% for Class A and No-Load Class shares and up to 1.00% for Class C shares of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to the relevant class. Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund's average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Distributor. The Rule 12b-1 Plan authorizes payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others ("Recipients") to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Fund will bear its own costs of distribution with respect to its shares. The Distributor or other entities also receive the proceeds and contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plan.


The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Fund shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Fund' investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Fund.


The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.


The Rule 12b-1 Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor's compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b- 1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Rule 12b-1 Plan. During the term of the Rule 12b-1 Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of the Rule 12b-1 Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.


Any agreement related to the Rule 12b-1 Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the applicable Fund at any time upon sixty days' written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.


DESCRIPTION OF SHARES



Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.


Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series or classes. Matters such as election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.


The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest.  Each share has equal dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of the Fund. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.


CODE OF ETHICS



The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust.  Under the code of ethics adopted by the Trust (the "Code"), the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by the Fund.


In addition, the Trust has adopted a code of ethics, which applies only to the Trust's executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management. The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Funds; (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; (iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and (v) accountability for adherence to the Code.


PROXY VOTING POLICIES



The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ("Policies") on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser or its designee, subject to the Board's continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser or its designee vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and shareholders.  The Policies also require the Adviser or its designee to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser's Proxy Policies, or the proxy policies of the Adviser's designee, and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser or its designee on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.


Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser's interests and the Fund's interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client's directive using the recommendation of an independent third party.  If the third party's recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client's account.  A copy of the Adviser's proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.


Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll free, 1-877-896-2590 , by accessing the Fund's website at www.swandefinedriskfund.com and by accessing the information on proxy voting filed by the Fund on Form N-PX on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.  In addition, a copy of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling 1-877-896-2590  and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.

 


PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF FUND SHARES



Calculation of Share Price


As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading "Net Asset Value," the net asset value ("NAV") of the Fund's shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund's portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund.


For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are available are stated at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis of last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers, or pricing services. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP"). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the last bid price. Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost. Exchange traded options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction.


Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Fund's shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.


Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the "NYSE Close") on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally uses pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and do not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.


In unusual circumstances, instead of valuing securities in the usual manner, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or their designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.


The Trust expects that the holidays upon which the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") will be closed are as follows: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.


Purchase of Shares


Orders for shares received by the Fund in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at the public offering price, which is NAV plus any sales charge, or at net asset value per share (if no sales charges apply) computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined net asset value per share plus sales charges, if any.


Redemption of Shares


The Fund will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder's shares of the Fund when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the "Redemptions" section of the Prospectus.  Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder's right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:

 

(a) when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings; (b) when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason; (c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or (d) when the Securities and Exchange Commission by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.

 

In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the net asset value next determined after the termination of the suspension.


Supporting documents in addition to those listed under "Redemptions" in the Prospectus will be required from executors, administrators, trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.


Redemption Fees


A redemption fee of 1% of the amount redeemed is assessed on shares that have been redeemed within 30 days of purchase.


Waivers of Redemption Fees: The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for:

 

·

redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions;

·

certain types of redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares owned through participant-directed retirement plans;

·

redemptions or exchanges in discretionary asset allocation, fee based or wrap programs ("wrap programs") that are initiated by the sponsor/financial advisor as part of a periodic rebalancing;

·

redemptions or exchanges in a fee based or wrap program that are made as a result of a full withdrawal from the wrap program or as part of a systematic withdrawal plan including the Fund's systematic withdrawal plan;

·

involuntary redemptions, such as those resulting from a shareholder's failure to maintain a minimum investment in the Fund, or to pay shareholder fees; or

·

other types of redemptions as the Adviser or the Trust may determine in special situations and approved by the Fund's or the Adviser's Chief Compliance Officer.



TAX STATUS



The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in the Fund.


The Fund intends to qualify as regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its net investment income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Net investment income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code.  


Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund.  Capital losses incurred after January 31, 2011 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss.  Under pre-enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital, irrespective of the character of the original loss.  Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.


The Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income, any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and any excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of net investment income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.


To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the Fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) any one issuer, two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.


If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such, the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund's net investment income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund's net investment income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.


The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund's ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.


The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code.


Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.


Distributions of net capital gain ("capital gain dividends") generally are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders.


A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder's tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.  


Distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.


All distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each taxable shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.


Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.


Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements


To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund's transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.


To the extent such investments are permissible, certain of the Fund's hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If the Fund's book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess book income will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund's remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient's basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If the Fund's book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regular investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.


Passive Foreign Investment Companies


Investment by the Fund in certain "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs") could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a  "qualified electing fund" ("QEF election"), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company's income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether they receives any distribution from the company.


The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings "to the market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund's taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund's total return.


Foreign Currency Transactions


The Fund's transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.


Foreign Taxation


Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will "pass through" for that year.


Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder's U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of the Fund's income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the revised alternative minimum tax imposed on corporations and individuals and foreign taxes generally are not deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.


Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities


Current federal tax law requires the holder of a U.S. Treasury or other fixed income zero coupon security to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased, even though the holder receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. In addition, pay-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.


Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount ("OID") is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities (including certain pay-in-kind securities) may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.


Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the "accrued market discount" on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.


Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.


A fund that holds the foregoing kinds of securities may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount, which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.


Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares.


A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.


Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.


ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM



The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the "Program") as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 ("USA PATRIOT Act"). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust's Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program. The Trust's secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.

 

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Fund's Distributor and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a providing a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.


As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to "freeze" the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.


CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES



A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a fund.  A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control.  As of the date of this SAI, there were no principal or control shareholders as there were no shares of the Fund outstanding.


MANAGEMENT



The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust's By-laws (the "Governing Documents"), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of five individuals, all of whom are not "interested persons" (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser ("Independent Trustees"). Pursuant to the Governing Documents of the Trust, the Trustees shall elect officers including a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Principal Executive Officer and a Principal Accounting Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust's purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.


Board Leadership Structure.  The Board is led by Jerry Vincenti, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since the Trust commenced operations as an SEC-registered investment company in 2012.  The Board has not appointed a Lead Independent Trustee because all Trustees are Independent Trustees.  Under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, and (c) execution and administration of Trust policies, including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership.  The Trust believes that its Chairman/Lead Independent Trustee, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, its Funds and each shareholder.

 

Board Risk Oversight.  The Board of Trustees is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees with an Audit Committee with a separate chair.  The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary.  The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting the risk within its area of responsibilities.  Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.

 

Trustee Qualifications.  Generally, the Fund believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.  Mark H. Taylor, Ph.D., CPA, has over two decades of academic experience in the accounting and auditing areas, has a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Accounting, holds Certified Public Accountant designation, is Professor of Accountancy at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, serves as a member of 3 other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex, currently serves on the AICPA Auditing Standards Board, and like the other Board members, also possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his years of service to this Board and 2 other mutual fund boards.  Mr. Jerry Vincentini is a retired business owner with decades of hands-on business experience in the academic ceremony rental market and agricultural production areas.  He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in business, and currently serves on three non-profit boards.  He also possesses an adequate understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his years of service to another mutual fund board of directors.  Mr. Anthony M. Payne has over 30 years of business experience in financial services and gaming industries including serving as an Executive Director of Iowa West Foundation (philanthropic non-profit foundation) and Iowa West Racing Association (non-profit corporation) from 1996 to July 2008. Mr. Payne served as the President of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce/Industrial Foundation.  He also served as the Chairman of the First National Bank of Council Bluffs and serves as a director of another mutual fund.  He serves as a Trustee of Goodwill Industries, Inc.  Mr. Payne is a Graduate of the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) and completed further graduate work at Southern Methodist University. Mr. James Jensen has over 30 years of business experience in financial services industry including over 20 years of mutual fund board experience.  Since April 2008, Mr. Jensen has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Law & Governance Group, where he devotes full time to corporate law practice and board governance consulting for operating companies.  From 2001 to 2008, Mr. Jensen co-founded and was Chairman of the Board for Intelisum, Inc., a company pursuing computer and measurement technology and products. From 1986 to 2004, Mr. Jensen held key positions with NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as Vice President, Corporate Development, Legal Affairs and General Counsel and Secretary. In addition to his business experience, Mr. Jensen is Chairman of the Board of Bayhill Capital Corporation and is a Director of the University of Utah Research Foundation. Mr. Jensen was the founder and first President of the MountainWest Venture Group (now "MountainWest Capital Network") in 1983. Mr. Jensen is a member of the National Association of Corporate Governance ("NACD"). Mr. Jensen graduated with a BA degree from the University of Utah in 1967 and received degrees of Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from Columbia University in 1971.  Mr. John V. Palancia has over 30 years of business experience in financial services industry including serving as the Director of Futures Operations for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. Mr. Palancia also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He also possesses a strong understanding of risk management, balance sheet analysis and the regulatory framework under which regulated financial entities must operate based on service to Merrill Lynch. Additionally, he is well versed in the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service as a member of 2 other fund boards.  The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee's qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified and well versed in the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate.

 

Trustees and Officers.  The Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five years and other information, are shown below.  Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is 4020 South 147th Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska  68137.


Independent Trustees


Name,
Address*
Age

Position(s) Held
with Registrant

Length of Service and Term

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Number of Funds Overseen In The Fund Complex**

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

Mark H. Taylor

Year of Birth: 1964

Trustee

February 2012, Indefinite

Professor of Accountancy, Case Western Reserve University since August 2009; Professor and John P. Begley Endowed Chair in Accounting, Creighton University, 2002-2009; Member AICPA Accounting Standards Board, since December 2008.

98

Ladenburg Thalmann Alternative Strategies Fund (since June 2010); Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. (Director and Audit Committee Chairman) (February 2007 to Present).

Jerry Vincenti

Year of Birth: 1940

Trustee,

Chairman

February 2012, Indefinite

Retired; President and Owner, Pins, Patches, Plaques Etc. Inc., since 2003; President and Owner, Graduation Supplies Inc., 1980-2008.

2

Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. (July 2000 to Present).

Anthony M. Payne

Year of Birth: 1942

Trustee

February 2012, Indefinite

Retired since July 2008; Executive Director, Iowa West Foundation (philanthropic non-profit foundation) and Iowa West Racing Association (non-profit corporation) from 1996 to July 2008.

2

Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. (July 2000 to Present).

James U. Jensen

Year of Birth: 1944

Trustee

February 2012, Indefinite

Chief Executive Officer, ClearWater Law & Governance Group, LLC (an operating board governance consulting company) (2008-Present); Of Counsel, Woodbury & Kesler (Law Firm, 2008-Present); Legal Consultant, Jensen Consulting (2004-2008).

2

Wasatch Funds Trust (19 Funds), 1986 to present; Bayhill Capital Corporation (telephone communications) December 2007 to present; Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. (February 2012 to Present).

John Palancia

Year of Birth: 1954

Trustee

February 2012, Indefinite

Director – Global Futures Operations Control, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (2006- December 2011).

98

Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. (February 2012 to Present)

* The address of each Trustee and officer is c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 4020 South 147th Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68137

** The "Fund Complex" includes the following registered management investment companies in addition to the Trust: Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, and Northern Lights Variable Trust.  


Officers of the Trust


Name,
Address
Age

Position(s) Held
with Registrant

Length of Service and Term

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Andrew Rogers

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Born in 1969

President

February 2012, indefinite

President and Manager, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2006); Formerly Manager, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (2006 – 2008); Manager (since 2006) and President (since 2004), GemCom LLC.

Kevin E. Wolf

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Born in 1969

Treasurer

February 2012, indefinite

Director of Fund Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2006); Vice-President, GemCom, LLC (since 2004).

James P. Ash

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Born in 1976

Secretary

February 2012, indefinite

Vice President of Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2011); Director of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2009); Assistant Vice President of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008 - 2011).

William Kimme

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Born in 1963

Chief Compliance Officer

February 2012, indefinite

Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (September 2001 - present); Compliance Officer, Mick & Associates (August, 2009 - September 2011); Assistant Director, FINRA (January 2000 - August 2009).

James Colantino

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Born in 1969

Assistant Treasurer

February 2012, indefinite

Vice President (2004 - Present); Senior Fund Administrator (1999-2004), Gemini Fund Services, LLC.

Erik Naviloff

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Born in 1968

Assistant Treasurer

February 2012, indefinite

Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, since 2007; Senior Accounting Manager, Fixed Income, Dreyfus Corporation, 2002 to 2007.

Richard Gleason

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Born in 1977

Assistant Treasurer

February 2012, indefinite

Manager of Fund Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2008);

Senior Fund Administrator, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2005-2008).

Dawn Borelli

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Born in 1972

Assistant Treasurer

February 2012, indefinite

Assistant Vice President, Fund Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2010), Assistant Vice President, Global Fund Administration, Legg Mason & Co. LLC (2003 – 2010).


Audit Committee.  The Board has an Audit Committee that consists solely of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee's responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust's independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust's financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust's independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor's independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management's responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust's accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls.  The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter.  Mr. Taylor is Chairman of the Audit Committee.  During the past fiscal year, the Audit Committee held one meeting.    

 

Compensation of Directors.  The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $12,000, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, to be paid quarterly.  The Audit Committee Chairman receives an additional annual fee of $2,000.  In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual fee of $2,000.  No "interested persons" who serve as a Trustee of the Trust will receive any compensation for their services as Trustee. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust. The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees are estimated to receive from the Trust during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.  The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, pension or retirement plan.

 

Name and Position

Aggregate Compensation From Trust*

Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex** Paid to Trustees

Mark H. Taylor

$14,000

$114,000

Jerry Vincentini

$14,000

$14,000

Anthony M. Payne

$12,000

$12,000

James U. Jensen

$12,000

$12,000

John Palancia

$12,000

$112,000

* Trustees' fees will be allocated ratably to each Fund in the Trust.

** The "Fund Complex" includes the following registered management investment companies in addition to the Trust: Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, and Northern Lights Variable Trust.  


Trustees' Ownership of Shares in the Fund.  As of December 31, 2011, the Trustees beneficially owned the following amounts in the Fund:

 

Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies*

Mark H. Taylor

None

None

Jerry Vincentini

None

None

Anthony M. Payne

None

None

James U. Jensen

None

None

John Palancia

None

None

* The "Family of Investment Companies" includes the following registered management investment companies in addition to the Trust: Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, and Northern Lights Variable Trust.  


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The Fund has not yet commenced operations and, therefore, has not produced financial statements.  Once produced, you can obtain a copy of the financial statements contained in the Fund's Annual or Semi-Annual Report without charge by calling the Fund at 1-877-896-2590.




APPENDIX A


PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES


·

PROXY VOTING

Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 helps to ensure that SEC-registered advisers act in the best interest of their clients when exercising proxy voting authority. The rule obligates advisers to provide clients with information on how their securities were voted.

Advisers that have explicit or implicit voting authority must comply with rule 206(4)-6. Therefore, even when the advisory contract is silent, the rule applies if the adviser's voting authority is implied by an overall delegation of discretionary authority. The rule does not apply to advisers that provide clients with advice about voting proxies but do not have authority to vote them.


A.

Fiduciary Duty.  The SEC adopted rule 206(4)-6 to regulate proxy voting by investment advisers with authority to vote their clients’ proxies. Under the Investment Advisers Act, an adviser is a fiduciary that owes each of its clients the duties of care and loyalty with respect to all services undertaken on the client's behalf, which may or may not include proxy voting.  To satisfy its duty of loyalty, the adviser must cast proxy votes in a way that will advance the best interest of its client. The adviser must not put its own interests ahead of the client’s.

Under rule 206(4)-6, it is a fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act, practice, or course of business for an investment adviser to exercise voting authority over client proxies unless the investment adviser:

1.

Adopts and implements written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the client’s best interest;

2.

Discloses to clients how they may obtain information regarding how their proxies were voted; and

3.

Describes proxy voting policies and procedures and furnishes a copy of the policies and procedures to the client when requested to do so.

B.

Policy for Adviser who votes Proxies.

If you vote proxies on behalf of your clients you must include a summary of your proxy voting policy in Form ADV and state that a full copy of your proxy policy is available to clients upon request with appropriate contact information.  Internal Note:  The Proxy Voting Policy is highly individualized and must be customized according to the philosophy of the company and the investments/fund.


Summary ADV Disclosure Language if an Adviser Does Vote Proxies


In general, the Company will determine how to vote proxies based on our reasonable judgment of that vote most likely to produce favorable financial results for our clients. Proxy votes generally will be cast in favor of proposals that maintain or strengthen the shared interests of shareholders and management, increase shareholder value, maintain or increase shareholder influence over the issuer's board of directors and management, and maintain or increase the rights of shareholders; proxy votes generally will be cast against proposals having the opposite effect.  However, the Company will consider both sides of each proxy issue.  Consistent with the Company’s paramount commitment to the financial investment goals of its clients, social considerations will not be considered absent contrary instructions by a client.  


C.

Philosophy and Practice regarding the voting of proxies .

1.

General

Adviser believes that each proxy proposal should be individually reviewed to determine whether the proposal is in the best interests of its clients.  As a result, similar proposals for different companies may receive different votes because of different corporate circumstances.

2.

Procedures

To implement Adviser’s proxy voting policies, Adviser has developed the following procedures for voting proxies. 

(a)

Upon receipt of a corporate proxy by Adviser, the special or annual report and the proxy are submitted to the CCO/Proxy Manager.  The Proxy Manager will then vote the proxy in accordance with this policy.   

(b)

The Proxy Manager shall be responsible for reviewing the special or annual report, proxy proposals, and proxy proposal summaries.  The reviewer shall take into consideration what vote is in the best interests of clients and the provisions of Adviser’s Voting Guidelines in Section 2 below.  The Proxy Manager will then vote the proxies.   

(c)

The Proxy Manager shall be responsible for maintaining copies of each annual report, proposal, proposal summary, actual vote, and any other information required to be maintained for a proxy vote under Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act (see discussion in Section 3 below).  With respect to proxy votes on topics deemed, in the opinion of the Proxy Manager, to be controversial or particularly sensitive, the Proxy Manager will provide a written explanation for the proxy vote, which will be maintained with the record of the actual vote in Adviser’s files.

3.

Voting Guidelines 

While Adviser’s policy is to review each proxy proposal on its individual merits, Adviser has adopted guidelines for certain types of matters to assist the Proxy Manager in the review and voting of proxies.  These guidelines are set forth below:

D.

Corporate Governance 

1.

Election of Directors and Similar Matters 

In an uncontested election, Adviser will generally vote in favor of management’s proposed directors.  In a contested election, Adviser will evaluate proposed directors on a case-by-case basis.  With respect to proposals regarding the structure of a company’s Board of Directors, Adviser will review any contested proposal on its merits.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Adviser expects to support proposals to:

(a)

Limit directors’ liability and broaden directors’ indemnification rights

(b)

Name changes, Directors in uncontested elections, and reincorporation that is not a takeover defense

(c)

Generally vote against proposals to Adopt or continue the use of a classified Board structure; and

(d)

Add special interest directors to the board of directors (e.g., efforts to expand the board of directors to control the outcome of a particular issue) and to support majority independent boards

2.

Governance/Audit Committee Approvals  

Adviser generally supports proposals that help ensure that a company’s auditors are independent and capable of delivering a fair and accurate opinion of a company’s finances.  Adviser will generally vote to ratify management’s recommendation and selection of auditors.  

Adviser generally supports separate offices of CEO and Chairman, limitation of board seats, confidential voting, shareholders’ ability to remove directors and shareholders right to call special meetings.

3.

Shareholder Rights

Adviser may consider all proposals that will have a material effect on shareholder rights on a case by case basis.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Adviser expects to generally support proposals to:

(a)

Adopt confidential voting and independent tabulation of voting results; and

(b)

Require shareholder approval of “poison pills;”and expects to generally vote against proposals to:

(a)

Adopt super-majority voting requirements; and

(c)

Restrict the rights of shareholders to call special meetings, to amend the bylaws, or to act by written consent.

4 .

Anti-Takeover Measures, Corporate Restructurings and Similar Matters

Adviser may review any proposal to adopt an anti-takeover measure, to undergo a corporate restructuring (e.g., change of entity form or state of incorporation, mergers, or acquisitions) or to take similar action by reviewing the potential short and long-term effects of the proposal on the company.  These effects may include, without limitation, the economic and financial impact the proposal may have on the company, and the market impact that the proposal may have on the company’s stock. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Adviser expects to generally support proposals to:

(a)

Prohibit the payment of greenmail (i.e., the purchase by the company of its own shares to prevent a hostile takeover);

(b)

Adopt fair price requirements (i.e., requirements that all shareholders be paid the same price in a tender offer or takeover context), unless the Proxy Manager deems them sufficiently limited in scope; and

(c)

Require shareholder approval of “poison pills.”, and expects to generally vote against proposals to:

(d)

Adopt classified boards of directors, poison pills, blank check preferred stock, eliminating cumulative voting,

(e)

Reincorporate a company where the primary purpose appears to the Proxy Manager to be the creation of takeover defenses; and

(f)

Require a company to consider the non-financial effects of mergers or acquisitions.

5.

Capital Structure Proposals 

Adviser will seek to evaluate capital structure proposals on their own merits on a case-by-case basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Adviser expects to generally support proposals to:

(a)

Eliminate preemptive rights, increase authorized stock, share repurchase programs, employee stock purchase plans, preferred stock issues, 401(k) plans, Employee stock ownership plans (ESOP)

(b)

The Advisor considers on a case-by-case basis mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs and asset sales, restructuring plans, increases in preferred stock and requests that impact shareholder value.

E .

Compensation  

1.

General  

Adviser generally supports proposals that encourage the disclosure of a company’s compensation policies.  In addition, Adviser generally supports proposals that fairly compensate executives, particularly those proposals that link executive compensation to performance.  Adviser may consider any contested proposal related to a company’s compensation policies on a case-by-case basis.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Adviser expects to generally support proposals to:

(a)

Require shareholders approval of “golden parachutes;” and

(b)

Adopt “golden parachutes” that do not exceed 1 to 3 times the base compensation of the applicable executives.

Advisor expects to generally vote against proposals to:

(b)

Adopt measures that appear to the Proxy Manager to arbitrarily limit executive or employee benefits.

2 .

Stock Option Plans and Share Issuances 

Adviser evaluates proposed stock option plans and share issuances on a case-by-case basis.  In reviewing proposals regarding stock option plans and issuances, Adviser may consider, without limitation, the potential dilutive effect on shareholders and the potential short and long-term economic effects on the company. The Adviser believes that stock option plans do not necessarily align the interest of executives and outside directors with those of shareholders and that well thought out cash compensation plans can achieve these objectives without diluting shareholders ownership. Therefore, the Adviser generally will vote against stock option plans. However, these proposals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine that shareholders interests are being represented. The Adviser is in favor of management, directors, and employees owning stock, but prefers that the shares be purchased in the open market.  

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Adviser expects to generally vote against proposals to:

(a)

Establish or continue stock option plans and share issuances that are not in the best interest of the shareholders.

F .

Corporate Responsibility and Social Issues 

Adviser generally believes that ordinary business matters (including, without limitation, positions on corporate responsibility and social issues) are primarily the responsibility of a company’s management that should be addressed solely by the company’s management.  These types of proposals, often initiated by shareholders, may request that the company disclose or amend certain business practices.

Adviser will generally vote against proposals involving corporate responsibility and social issues, although Adviser may vote for corporate responsibility and social issue proposals that Adviser believes will have substantial positive economic or other effects on a company or the company’s stock.

G.

Record-Keeping Requirements Pertaining to Proxy Voting.

Rule 204-2, requires that the following proxy voting records be maintained. The CCO shall be responsible for maintaining these records relating to proxy voting.

1.

Copies of all policies and procedures required by Rule 206(4)-6.

2.

A copy of each proxy statement that the investment adviser receives regarding a client’s securities. An adviser may satisfy this requirement by relying on a third-party provider, such as a proxy voting service, or the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system.

3.

A record of each vote cast by the investment adviser on behalf of a client. An adviser may satisfy this requirement by relying on a third-party service to provide these records. The third party must be capable of providing documents promptly upon request.

4.

A copy of any document created by the Adviser that was material in making a decision on how to vote proxies on a client’s behalf or that articulates the basis for that decision.

5.

A copy of each written client request for information on how the adviser voted proxies on his or her behalf, as well as a copy of any written response by the investment adviser to any written or oral client request for information.

H.

Conflicts of Interest Pertaining to Proxy Voting

Conflicts of interest between the Adviser or a principal of the Adviser and the Adviser’s clients in respect of a proxy issue conceivably may arise, for example, from personal or professional relationships with a company or with the directors, candidates for director, or senior executives of a company that is the issuer of client securities.

If the CCO determines that a material conflict of interest exists, the following procedures shall be followed:

1.

The Adviser may disclose the existence and nature of the conflict to the client(s) owning the securities, and seek directions on how to vote the proxies;

2.

The Adviser may abstain from voting, particularly if there are conflicting client interests (for example, where client accounts hold different client securities in a competitive merger situation); or

3.

The Adviser may follow the recommendations of an independent proxy voting service in voting the proxies.

The Adviser keeps certain records required by applicable law in connection with its proxy voting activities for clients and shall provide proxy-voting information to clients upon their written or oral request.  A copy of the Adviser’s proxy-voting policies shall be made available to clients upon request.

I.

PROPOSALS SPECIFIC TO MUTUAL FUNDS

ADVISER serves as investment adviser to certain investment companies under the Northern Lights Fund Trust.  These funds invest in other investment companies that are not affiliated (“Underlying Funds”) and are required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) Act to handle proxies received from Underlying Funds in a certain manner.  Notwithstanding the guidelines provided in these procedures, it is the policy of ADVISER to vote all proxies received from the Underlying Funds in the same proportion that all shares of the Underlying Funds are voted, or in accordance with instructions received from fund shareholders, pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act.  After properly voted, the proxy materials are placed in a file maintained by the Chief Compliance Officer for future reference.  


J .

OBTAINING MORE INFORMATION

Funds, Portfolios and clients may obtain a record of Advisor’s proxy voting, free of charge, by calling (970) 382-8901.

These policies and procedures may also be found in ADVISER’s Form ADV, Part II and supporting schedules.

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION



Item 28. Exhibits.


(a) Articles of Incorporation.


(i)

Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 30, 2011, is incorporated by reference.


(ii)

Certificate of Trust, which was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 30, 2011, is incorporated by reference.


(b) By-Laws. Registrant's By-Laws, which were filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 30, 2011, are incorporated by reference.


(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holder. None other than in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Registrant.


(d) Investment Advisory Contracts.


(i)

Management Agreement for Lifetime Achievement Fund as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A.

(ii)

Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund is filed herewith.

(iii)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Taylor Investment Advisors, LP and Registrant, with respect to the Taylor Xplor Managed Futures Strategy Fund to be filed by amendment.

(iv)

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Taylor Investment Advisors, LP and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC with respect to Taylor Xplor Managed Futures Strategy Fund, to be filed by amendment.  

(v)

Investment Advisory Agreement between CARF Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the River Rock IV Fund to be filed by amendment


(e) Underwriting Contracts. Underwriting Agreement as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A , is incorporated by reference.


(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. None.


(g) Custodial Agreement.


(i)

Custody Agreement as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, is incorporated by reference.


(ii)

Assignment and Assumption Agreement as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A , is incorporated by reference.


(h) Other Material Contracts.


(i)

Fund Services Agreement as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A , is incorporated by reference.

(ii)

Form of Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund is filed herewith.  

(iii)

Expense Limitation Agreement between CARF Management LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the River Rock IV Fund to be filed by amendment.  


(i) Legal Opinion.


(i)

Legal Opinion and Consent is filed herewith.

  

 

(j) Other Opinions. Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith.   


(k) Omitted Financial Statements. None.


(l) Initial Capital Agreements. None.


(m) Rule 12b-1 Plans.


(i)

Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A , and hereby incorporated by reference.

(ii)

Form of Rule 12b-1 Plan of Swan Defined Risk Fund is filed herewith.

(iii)

Rule 12b-1 Plan of Taylor Xplor Managed Futures Strategy Fund to be filed by amendment.

(iv)

Rule 12b-1 Plan of River Rock IV Fund to be filed by amendment.


(n) Rule 18f-3 Plan. Rule 18f-3 Plan to add Taylor Xplor Managed Futures Strategy Fund was previously filed on June 18, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 5, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(o) Reserved.


(p) Code of Ethics.


(i) Code of Ethics for the Trust as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A , and hereby incorporated by reference.

(ii) Code of Ethics for Manarin Investment Counsel, Ltd. as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A , and hereby incorporated by reference.

(iii)

Code of Ethics for Northern Lights Distributors as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A , and hereby incorporated by reference.

(iv)

Code of Ethics of Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc. was filed previously filed on June 8, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 4, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(v)

Code of Ethics of Taylor Investment Advisors, LP was filed previously filed on June 8, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 4, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(vi)

Code of Ethics of CARF Management LLC was filed previously filed on June 18, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 5, and hereby incorporated by reference.


(q) Powers of Attorney. Power of Attorney for the Trust, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each trustee and executive officer, as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A , and hereby incorporated by reference.


Item 29. Control Persons. None.


Item 30. Indemnification.


Reference is made to Article VIII of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust Instrument which is included, Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement, Section 7 of the Custody Agreement, and Section 4 of the Fund Services Agreement.  The application of these provisions is limited by the following undertaking set forth in the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission:


Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in such Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in such Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. The Registrant may maintain a standard mutual fund and investment advisory professional and directors and officers liability policy. The policy, if maintained, would provide coverage to the Registrant, its Trustees and officers, and could cover its advisers, among others. Coverage under the policy would include losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.


The Management Agreement between Manarin Investment Counsel and the Registrant provides that the Manarin Investment Counsel will not be liable for any of its actions (e.g., errors of judgment, mistakes of law, losses arising out of investments) on behalf of the Registrant, provided that nothing shall protect, or purport to protect, Manarin Investment Counsel against any liability to the Registrant or to the security holders of the Registrant to which it would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.  No provision of the Management Agreement is to be construed to protect any director or officer of the Registrant or Manarin Investment Counsel from liability in violation of Section 17(h), 17(i), or 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

 

Furthermore, under the Management Agreement, Manarin Investment Counsel will indemnify the Registrant and its directors, officers, agents, and employees (“Indemnitee Persons”) against any loss, claim, damages, tax, penalty, liability, disbursement, litigation expenses, attorneys’ fees, and expenses or court costs arising out of, or in any way relating to:

 

(1) the enforcement of the Management Agreement;

 

(2) all actions or omissions of the Indemnitee Persons, provided that they were not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties, or in reckless disregard of their obligations and duties under the Management Agreement; and

 

(3) Manarin Investment Counsel’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Management Agreement due to its willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence.

 

Such indemnification by Manarin Investment Counsel would not be available to the extent that any enforcement action is instituted against an Indemnitee Person and the action is not settled and does not result in any final judgment in favor of such person.


Item 31. Activities of Investment Advisor and Sub-Advisor.


Certain information pertaining to the business and other connections of each Advisor of each series of the Trust is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the section of the respective Prospectus captioned “Investment Advisor” and to the section of the respective Statement of Additional Information captioned “Investment Advisory and Other Services.”  The information required by this Item 26 with respect to each director, officer or partner of each Advisor is incorporated by reference to the Advisor’s Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Each Advisor’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, and may be requested by File No. as follows:

Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc. the Advisor of the Swan Defined Risk Fund – File No.  801-70881.

Taylor Investment Advisors, LP, the Advisor of the Taylor Xplor Managed Futures Strategy Fund – File No. 801-61075.

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, the Sub-Advisor of the Taylor Xplor Managed Futures Strategy Fund – File No. 801-56972.

CARF Management LLC, the Adviser of the River Rock IV Fund – File No. to be provided.

Item 32. Principal Underwriter.


(a) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, the principal underwriter to the Trust also acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies: AdvisorOne Funds, Arrow Investment Trust, Copeland Trust, Epiphany Funds, Equinox Funds Trust, Ladenburg Thalmann Alternative Strategies Fund, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, Nile Capital Investment Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Variable Trust, Roge Partners Funds and The Saratoga Advantage Trust.

 

(b) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The principal business address of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is 4020 South 147th Street, Omaha, NE 68137. To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the following are the members and officers of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC:


Name

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

Positions and Offices

with the Trust

W. Patrick Clarke

Manager

None

Brian Nielsen

Manager, President, Secretary

None

Daniel Applegarth

Treasurer

None

Mike Nielsen

Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer

None


(c) Not applicable.


Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.


All accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 through 31a-3 thereunder are maintained at the office of the Registrant, Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Principal Underwriter, Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant, Administrator and Custodian at the addresses stated in the SAI.


Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc. 277 E. Third Avenue, Unit A Durango, CO 81301, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund.  


Taylor Investment Advisors, LP, 100 Crescent Court, Suite 525, Dallas, TX 75201, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Taylor Xplor Managed Futures Strategy Fund.  


BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, One University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Taylor Xplor Managed Futures Strategy Fund.


CARF Management LLC, 1899 Powers Ferry Road SE, Suite 120, Atlanta, Georgia 30339, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the River Rock IV Fund.


Item 34. Management Services. Not applicable.


Item 35. Undertakings.  Not Applicable.



SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, State of New York, on the 26th day of June, 2012.


Northern Lights Fund Trust III


By: /s/ Andrew Rogers

Andrew Rogers, President


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated.



Name

Title

 

Andrew Rogers*

President

June 26, 2012

Kevin E. Wolf*

Treasurer

June 26, 2012

Mark H. Taylor*

Independent Trustee

June 26, 2012

Jerry Vincentini*

Independent Trustee

June 26, 2012

Anthony M. Payne*

Independent Trustee

June 26, 2012

James U. Jensen*

Independent Trustee

June 26, 2012

John Palancia*

Independent Trustee

June 26, 2012


*By:

Date:

 /s/ James P. Ash, Esq.

June 26 , 2012

James P. Ash


*Attorney-in-Fact – Pursuant to Powers of Attorney previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A.




Exhibit Index


Exhibit

Exhibit No.

Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund

(d)(ii)

Form of Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Wealth Advisors, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund

(h)(ii)

Legal opinion and Consent

(i)(i)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(j)

Form of Rule 12b-1 Plan of Swan Defined Risk Fund

(m)(ii)